Calhouns Can(n)ons

PAAVO & 218 Q&A’s TONIGHT
And don’t forget the BoS today at 2 pm.


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Guest Speaker: Paavo Ogren, project manager, LO wastewater project
NOT YOUR USUAL ELECTION - Q&A’S ON THE 218 VOTE IN LOS OSOS - AUG. 7****************************************************

When Los Osos citizens cast their ballots this fall,
it’s not an election in the usual sense and votes will
be public record.

These and other aspects of the upcoming 218 vote
will be addressed by Paavo Ogren, county project
manager for the Los Osos wastewater project, on
Tuesday, Aug. 7, 7 p.m., at the Sea Pines Resort.
The talk will include an extensive question-and-
answer session. The event is free and open to the public.

Proposition 218 requires affected property owners’
approval of new fees and taxes, including sewer
assessments. The results of Los Osos’ vote will
determine whether the county proceeds with building
the community wastewater project or not.

“It’s an unfamiliar process with huge consequences
for property owners, and questions abound,”
said Gail McPherson, spokesperson for Citizens for
Clean Water, which is sponsoring the event.

“The community wants to find out about the 218 vote
– what it is and what it’s not, as well as its purpose,
scope and process.”
Citizens For Clean Water is a Los Osos nonprofit organization. It does not endorse any sewer site, technology, or project cost, but seeks to assure that all options are considered to achieve an open public process and informed citizenry.

For more details, please call 534-1913 or 459-4535

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RELATED BACKGROUND

WHEN IS THE VOTE?
If approved by the Board of Supervisors at their Aug. 28
meeting, mail-in ballots will be distributed by early September.
The ballot may then be submitted, changed, or withdrawn
anytime prior to the conclusion of public testimony at a public
hearing tentatively scheduled for Nov. 20.

WHO VOTES
Voting is limited to owners of 4,700 developed parcels within the
so-called prohibition zone designated by the water board, as
these owners are the ones threatened with enforcement actions.
Owners of undeveloped land may have an opportunity to vote
at a later time. Renters are not allowed to vote.

HOW IS THE VOTE COUNTED
It is not a one-person-one-vote process; rather, votes will be
weighted based on the total special benefits the property will receive
from the wastewater project. For instance, if the total special benefit
is determined to be $20,000 for a property, the ballot will ask the owner
to approve or deny as assessment of $20,000. Once all the ballots are
returned, the total dollar amounts will be added up, and the total dollar
amount of the “yes” votes will be compared to the total dollar amount
of the “no” votes. If the “yes” vote dollar amount exceeds the “no” vote
dollar amount, the assessment passes.

IS PROJECT COST ON THE BALLOT
The county may publish the total monthly cost prior to the 218 vote,
but this will appear in supplemental information – not on the ballot.

AT THE TIME OF THE VOTE, HOW MUCH WILL BEKNOWN ABOUT THE PROJECT
While a pro/con analysis for the county has presented lower-cost
options to the abandoned mid-town project, final decisions on
location, type of system and exact cost will not be determined
prior to the 218 assessment vote.

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CONTACT

Gail McPherson
Citizens for Clean Water/Prohibition Zone Legal Defense Fund
Cell 805/459-4535
Email mcp@charter.net