Fair Oaks Water District Response

There is a heated election campaign in Fair Oaks to determine the future of the Fair Oaks Water District (FOWD). 

On one side, a developer who developed a corner property in Fair Oaks Village directly across the FOWD Operations Center (or corporation yard). A year ago, the developer demanded that FOWD move the yard from the Village site, which FOWD has owned and occupied since 1979, so he could re-develop that 1.6-acre site into something with more parking for the Fair Oaks Village and his private gain.

After the public hearing, the FOWD Board voted unanimously to stay put and continue with the yard redevelopment project as planned. Since 2018 the FOWD has invested $500K in design and permitting fees and obtained the county entitlements and approvals to redevelop the site (with the unanimous vote approval from the Fair Oaks Community Planning Advisory Commission and Sacramento County Planning Commission).

In 2024, the developer has changed his tactic. He wants to take control of the entire FOWD Board through the 2024 general election and recall efforts. The developer cannot run on a platform of “Move the yard -- build a parking lot” since this would not appeal to FOWD ratepayers and voters outside Fair Oaks Village. Instead, the developer has been trying to manufacture fake financial problems, stating falsely that FOWD needs new financial oversight and direction from Fair Oaks Village.

Here are important facts that our rate payers and the general public should know:

All of our Board meetings are open to the public and we invite public comment at every Board meeting.

The FOWD has the lowest water rates in the Sacramento region, and perhaps in the entire state. 

The FOWD has no debt. 

The FOWD has built five new groundwater wells to improve long-term water supply reliability. 

The FOWD has saved $10 million in cash reserves. 

The FOWD built a new modern administration building in the Village and is in the final stages of redeveloping the new Operations Center at the site. 

All FOWD financial transactions, including checks written by the FOWD, credit card purchases, warrants, and FOWD Board expenses are posted online in the monthly Board packets. 

All financial transactions are approved in public and where public comment is invited. 

All annual budgets and audited financial statements are posted on the FOWD.com website. 

These facts demonstrate that Fair Oaks Water District’s financial management is sound and our actions transparent. 

After two public hearings, the FOWD Board voted in 2022 to increase water rates by 25% over three years. The three major reasons for the 25% rate hike were: 1) Capital investment needs of approximately $37 million over the next ten years to replace system water mains, 2) Inflation, and 3) Wholesale surface water rate increases charged by the San Juan Water District (SJWD). 

Between 2006 and 2022, the FOWD increased water rates by 13% while the Consumer Price Index increased by 49% and the cost of surface water purchased from SJWD by 323%. Even with the 25% rate hike over three years, the FOWD has the lowest water rates in the region (see the table below).

For more facts, visit the FOWD.com website. Don’t be fooled. Seek the truth.

-Chris Petersen, FOWD Board President

Leon Corcos's Response 

In February 2023, hundreds of Fair Oaks residents packed the Water District Board Meeting and demanded answers about a 25% rate hike and a $7 million maintenance yard renovation. Instead of transparency, we got blame — the board claimed it was our fault for not being involved earlier, despite making no effort to engage us.

Here’s the reality: the Fair Oaks Water District has just 31 employees, imports 90% of its water and outsources major infrastructure projects. So why are they planning to spend $7 million on a yard for tools, trucks, and materials? Why are they building an employee gym? The board gave no justification and refused to explore cheaper alternatives.

Instead, the board keeps trying to reframe the issue, as if it's about anything but the reckless spending we’re all concerned about. We aren’t asking for a new parking lot as the board would like to distract you into thinking. That’s simply not true. We're asking them to honor their promise to let the community use the existing admin building parking after hours, as they said they would. It took almost two years. Finally, signs went up a few weeks ago.  Meanwhile, the board likes to boast about having the lowest water rates in the region but refuses to acknowledge that this won’t be true after the upcoming 25% rate increase.

This election isn’t just about water. It’s about transparency, accountability, and, frankly, the basic respect that we, as ratepayers, deserve. Most of the board members have sat in their positions for over a decade. Every current board member ran unopposed in their election. Is it any surprise they feel invincible, insulated from the very people they serve?

It’s time for change. The board should answer to the community, not the other way around. By voting for Levi Newlin, Darryl Cragun, and Leah Parrish-Pane, we will finally be able to hold the Fair Oaks Water Board accountable and make sure our voices are heard. Let’s take back our water district. Vote for leadership that puts community first.

Respectfully,

Leon Corcos, 29-year resident of Fair Oaks