This is your opportunity to hear the facts, participate in open discussions with City and Zone 3 staff, voice your opinion, and ask questions regarding how the cost associated with retrofitting Lopez Dam will impact Grover Beach residents.

Decide for yourself how you will vote on Measure C-00 scheduled for the March 2000 ballot.

The State of California, Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD), has ordered that Lopez Dam be retrofitted to withstand an earthquake of magnitude 7 on the Richter scale or the lake must be drained. The project is on target with 60% of the engineering and design complete. The method used to retrofit the dam, installing stone columns, has been tested and approved by the DSOD. Construction is scheduled to begin in January of 2001.

This project will be financed by all of the agencies which receive water or benefit from the dam including Arroyo Grande, Pismo Beach, Grover Beach, Oceano, and portions of the County. The project is estimated to cost approximately $26 million. The County Board of Supervisors decided that in March voters would be asked whether or not to finance approximately 50%, or $13.2 million of the project costs, through an ad valorem property tax. This means that there will be a tax of $0.297 per $1,000 of assessed valuation the first year.

For example,
A residential home with a $100,000 assessed value would pay: $29.70
A residential home with a $200,000 assessed value would pay: $59.40
A residential home with a $300,000 assessed value would pay: $89.10

This tax would apply to all property in the Zone 3 area including undeveloped parcels. As assessed values within the project area increase, the tax rate will be reduced since the annual debt payment will remain constant.

The voters have an opportunity to decide if this project will be funded through increased property taxes for every parcel of property in Zone 3. If the ad valorem tax is not approved by 2/3rds of the voters in March, the cost of the project will be paid through water rates.

Financial analysts have informed the City that use of property tax supported bonds will save South County property owners and residents an estimated $2.3 million over the next 30 years.