Building Industry Association
of San Diego

From the San Diego County Taxpayers Association:

At the Otay Water District, customer water rates have increased by more than 40% over the past two years, and are scheduled to increase again next January by nearly 8%. Yet, instead of making their own sacrifices alongside ratepayers, a few weeks ago Otay Water District board members voted 4-1 (Mark Robak in opposition) to approve extraordinary lifetime healthcare and dental benefits for District managers and their dependents.
Now, to the San Diego County Taxpayers Association’s utter amazement, a similar deal is being considered for the rest of the employees with a board vote scheduled for August 10th.

SDCTA examined the independent financial analysis and discovered the true impact of the proposed benefit enhancements:

2,806% increase to the unfunded liability from $208,000 to $6.045 million
1,899% increase to the present value of benefits from $680,000 to $13.593 million
2,180% increase to the annual payment for retiree healthcare costs from $49,000 to $1.117 million

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved its long delayed General Plan update bringing to a close  a 13-year odyssey that involved hundreds of property owners and even more public meetings.  Under the new general plan, the county seeks to direct future growth closer to existing towns and infrastructure that, according to the Supervisors, will save taxpayers millions of dollars in revised infrastructure costs and significantly reduce processing times for project applicants. The board voted 4 to 1 with Supervisor Horn opposing.

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After nearly 14 years, the County Board of Supervisors finally adopted the County General Plan Update on a 4-1 vote (with Supervisor Horn dissenting).  Supervisor Pam Slater promised the industry that the GPU will save applicants time and money.  As this was the industry’s major complaint as to the previous development application process and its notorious lack of any process certainty, we will be monitoring this critical aspect.  Major kudos go to Matt Adams, BIA Staff Vice President, and his team of volunteers who serve on our Public Policy Committee for bringing this to a productive close.  More information to follow.