Things Have Changed Since 2011 In 2011, the Town empaneled a Blue Ribbon Committee to examine acquisition of Apple Valley Ranchos. It advised against a purchase — and the Town Council agreed — based on information available at the time. The world has changed since then. In 2012, Ranchos began …
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Apple Valley Ranchos claims the Town has $900,000 of taxpayer money to study and promote the takeover of a well-run, local private business.
This simply is not true. In fact, we’ve spent about a third that amount on this case, or $325,000. What the company doesn’t point out is that …
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One of the critical advantages of community ownership of Apple Valley’s water system is the ability of the Town Council to make decisions on water rates with the people who pay the water bill, not a state body that makes decisions with the utilities. If the town owned the water …
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On April 28, Town staff and attorneys presented information on the process of acquiring the private water company now serving our community, as well as how the Town would pay for it. The meeting also included public comment and question and answer time.
The Town Council of Apple Valley will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, April 28, at 6:30 p.m. to inform citizens about the possible purchase of the Town’s municipal water system presently owned and operated by a private company, Apple Valley Ranchos Water Company. The Town has expressed strong interest …
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Administrative Law Judge recommends against $15 million in requested costs It appears the Town of Apple Valley has been successful in limiting the damage to ratepayer pocketbooks from higher-than-justified rates requested by Apple Valley Ranchos (AVR), according to a proposed decision by an administrative law judge of the California Public …
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When the community owns the water system, there is a different approach to setting water rates. The people have a direct say in establishing the cost citizens pay for water. Under corporate ownership with companies such as the Carlyle Group, the water rates are established through a different process and the …
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Another private water company, owned by the same group that owns Apple Valley Ranchos, is leaking 4 billion gallons of water a year into the ground, an expert has testified. In Missoula, Montana, the city is trying to take over the water system from a private operator, Mountain Water, which …
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Several speakers and writers of letters to the editor question whether a town can operate a water system. Their remarks make it seems as if it is unusual for a local government to own and operate a system that delivers water to the citizens. They act as if it has …
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Several hundred citizens of Apple Valley turned out for a hearing Monday in front of an administrative law judge from the California PUC. The judge is hearing evidence in the case of Algonquin Power, which wants to buy the Apple Valley water system. Many speakers supported the takeover. However, most …
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