LAKEPORT>>> The Lake County Board of Supervisors considered an increase in sewage fees across the area which sparked much public debate. They also discussed an update from the Ely Stage Shop and Country Museum.
Robin Boray, Special Districts administrator, alongside Allison Lahovich, Rate consultant for the Northwest Sewer System, Kelseyville Water and Sewer System, and the Spring Valley Water System, discussed the changes in the fee use schedule for the northwest regional sewer system, and also increasing the water charges and fees for Kelseyville County Waterworks District 3, and lastly increasing the charges and fees for County Service Area 2, Spring Valley Lakes.
Boray stated that the proposed increases are based on recent rate studies, industry standards, and a tiered usage system. Changes include increases for single family rates, increases in the allowed usage within the tiers, and a decrease in the capital improvement fee. Lahovich said, “You have not had a rate increase in over 10 years so part of why this is such a high percentage is 10 years of catch up on the water utility.” This new fee schedule sees increases from three to over 20 percent and would be in effect for five years, at which time the board could revisit and re-evaluate the fees. As per proposition 218 50 percent of registered users have to submit protest votes in order to stop the fee increases.
District 2 Supervisor Bruno Sabatier disagreed with putting the burden of increase on the working class, noting his issues with proposition 218 with “We barely get 30 percent of registered voters to vote in elections and here there’s an expectation that 50 percent of all property owners need to step up and say no before something happens. Something is very flawed with that, it leans towards an automatic yes.” Sabatier also noted the potential impacts to local commercial and small business that may be negatively effected by these increases. Many members of the public expressed their opinions, a majority of which very contestant of any fee increases, with some submitting formal protests. Sterling Wellman submitted a letter of contest sharing “The increases are extreme. The chart indicates that the average user would see an increase of 251 percent over five years. The base rate is proposed to be reduced from 1200 to 400 square feet.” District 3 Supervisor Eddie Crandell stated “I understand the rates, I think everyone does, but at the same time there are just some things that need to be considered when it comes to this.” The matter was scheduled to continue the hearing at 2 p.m. on September 24.
Dr. John Parker, President of the Lake County Historical Society presented on behalf of the Ely Stage Shop and Country Museum, updating the board on current ongoings and giving a brief history of the museum which dates back to 1860. Originally known as the Lost Springs Ranch it served as a stopping point along popular wagon trails and was moved to its current location after Cal Trans announced it would be building a highway that would cause its demise. Recently the Ely Stage shop moved another building, the Kelseyville Jail. The Jail was renovated as it had fallen into disrepair with the wood rotting from the bottom up.
Parker also shared the ongoing list of activities and events held by the Museum including a blacksmith demo done every Sunday. Parker shared, “There’s no other museum doing any blacksmithing.” They also host hay rides every first Sunday of the month, the same day they host their fiddler’s jam – a family friendly free concert.
Coming soon the museum hopes to expand their exhibits to include more local mining information as well as to increase their field trip intakes as numbers have dropped since COVID. The biggest project the group is working on is the completion of another barn to house the antique wagon and carriage projects that the museum is a part of. Parker mentioned they need help funding and asked for support from the board. Every year, including this upcoming Saturday September 28, the Ely Stage Shop and Museum showcases one of these projects by driving it in the parade during Pear Fest in Kelseyville. Parker shared that they have a staff of about 20, with some people putting in several hours of volunteer work. Parker concluded with “It’s definitely a gem in Lake County.”
District 5 Supervisor Jessica Pyska asked about presenting historical tribal artifacts, to which Parker responded “We desperately need a cultural museum to focus on Lake County’s Native American Heritage. We have 20,000 years or more of Native American Heritage that there is no place to go and learn about.” The board thanked Parker for the presentation and agreed they will be revisiting the matter again.
