THE NEVADA COUNTY GRAND JURY AND DSPUD

The Nevada County Grand Jury (NCGJ) recently completed an investigation of Donner Summit Public Utilities District (DSPUD). A link to their findings is found at the bottom of this report. This investigation was most likely kicked off by one of two things. Either someone filed a complaint with the NCGJ because they were concerned about some issue, perhaps the disposal of effluent in the South Yuba River, or the NCGJ, following their practice of looking into the workings of various county agencies and special districts, chose DSPUD to be on the hot seat this year.

This is an interesting document, and many of the things in it, including the findings, conclusions, and recommendations are subject to more than one interpretation. I do want to point out one thing I found bothersome-- the comparison of General Manager salaries in nearby districts. This is a case where one asterix speaks a thousand words-- the General Manager at DSPUD receives only one benefit: long term disability insurance. Anyone who has had to fund their own retirement, and pick up the tab on health insurance knows that those benefits are worth their weight in gold-- hence, comparing the DSPUD manager's salary to those who receive benefits is comparing apples and oranges, and any conclusion reached based on that comparison should be questioned. 

It is interesting to note that Royal Gorge LLC's proposed development is specifically called out, and that recommendations are made that the impacts of any proposed developments on current stakeholders should receive precedence. Also, the recommendation that year round subsurface disposal of waste water be investigated needs taken with a very large grain of salt. Donner Summit has a history of failed/failing leach fields, and the newer subsurface method (the one being explored by RG LLC) has not yet been judged practicable in the shallow granitic soil of the Summit.

Do note the subject of merging DSPUD and SLCWD was raised. If that were to occur, it is entirely possible that any SLCWD homeowner who does not live full time at Serene Lakes would lose their vote completely on water board matters-- which would amount to taxation without representation. This is an issue we might want to concern ourselves with.

DSPUD is required to respond by October 6, 2008

The Nevada County Grand Jury findings on DSPUD can be found on the Documents page of www.SaveSereneLakes.org as: Nevada County Grand Jury DSPUD Findings