"It's your company, It's your water"

Why does this concern you?

You are one of 625 shareholder owners of Crestview Mutual Water Company (”Crestview”).

It is imperative that you, and your shareholder neighbors, are aware of and involved in the acts and actions of Crestview Mutual Water Company. After all, it's your water, and you are paying the bills. Visit the new shareholder forum to stay informed, exchange ideas and comments, and get involved.

Water rates have increased dramatically Do you know why? Visit the new shareholder forum to learn more.

-- Shareholder Update --

On September 14th, 2021, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously (5-0)
to deny the Crestview Well #7 project at 191 Alviso. The decision endorsed the Ventura County Planning Commission's
previous unanimous (5-0) denial of the project. The decision may have saved shareholders millions.

Contrary to the Crestview Board's claim that "influential neighbors that live next door to the Well 7" were jeopardizing water service, the merits of the Crestview Board's plan and lack of due diligence resulted in the projects failure.

Announcements:

None

Transparency

Transparency assures all shareholders that all matters, decisions and financial transactions approved by the Board of Directors are available in an honest, complete, and timely manner. After all, it’s your water company, and their decisions have significant financial and legal consequences for all Crestview shareholders.

• The dispute over the $4 million Well #7

  (Background) read more

  Crestview purchased a vacant lot at 191 Alviso in October 2015 for $505,000 to develop new Well #7. At the time, the Board anticipated it would cost $1.2 million to permit and build. That estimate has grown and may exceed $4 million. The Board refused to disclose the details of the purchase. No lawsuit has been filed by the HOA or residents. View the Power-Point presentation; The Facts About Well #7.

  • Homeowner's Association CC&R's do not allow for any drilling or a well on the Alviso property. "Crestview has no legal right to proceed with the project," says Attorney Peter Goldenring.
  • There are three 50-foot-deep seepage (sewage) pits within the non-waivable California State 150-foot state minimum setback, and 200-foot Ventura County setback requirement for public groundwater quality protection. Sewage may contaminate the well. Neighbors within 600 feet of the proposed well may have also been subjected to expensive septic tank modifications and maintenance.
  • No alternative properties were investigated or presented, and there is no evidence to suggest that the proposed new Well #7 will do any better than the reportedly failing Crestview Well #4 being replaced just 1500 feet away.
  • Public records indicate the property had several transfers; an initial purchase price of $385,000 on December 31, 2014, then to the “Speedy 51 Trust dated September 23, 2015,” and weeks later to Crestview Mutual Water on October 13, 2015, for $505,000.
  • Crestview advised adjacent property-owners that Crestview would cover the cost of being displaced to hotels for 45 days for the 24-hour, seven-day-a-week noise and vibration from drilling. Crestview rescinded the offer.
  • Homeowners may be required to install alternative waste treatment units at a cost of approx. $100,000 and annual maintenance of $3000/year

  The Crestview Board authorized $36,000 in 2020 and an additional $30,000 in 2021 to Sespe Consultants for political lobbying activities for Well # 7 and to enhance the image of the Board. Shareholders need to consider the costs and consequences of poor decisions. We will be paying for them for years to come. 

• What about the $2.1 million Well #8?

  No mention is made of the proposed $2.1 million Calleguas-Crestview Well #8 (Camino Tierra Santa and Via Zamora in Camarillo) emergency water supply reliability project, which reads in part:

  AGREEMENT BETWEEN CRESTVIEW MUTUAL WATER COMPANY AND CALLEGUAS MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT FOR DELIVERY OF WATER FROM CRESTVIEW TO CALLEGUAS.

  Project Description: Construction of the facilities necessary (meter station, pressure regulating/pressure sustaining valve, pipeline connections, and necessary electrical and communications systems) to interconnect Calleguas' and Crestview's potable water systems and allow Calleguas to receive deliveries from Crestview when needed. (September 2018)

• Employee compensation

  In January 2016, the Board authorized Crestview’s General Manager, Robert Eranio, to serve as an independent contractor (“Robert’s Associated Water, Inc.”). The Board repeatedly refused to disclose the terms of the contract, compensation, hours worked, and General Liability coverage afforded Crestview under this arrangement. There are potential contractor/employee tax liabilities for Crestview shareholders. Employee compensation exceeds $500,000 in salary and benefits for three employees and the “Consulting General Manager” who on information and belief, is paid about $200,000/year. For competitive water salaries visit: Water Manager Salaries. On January 1, 2020, AB 5 set the criteria, substantially limiting or ending this practice: View AB5

• Water Allocation

  read more

  In 2014, the Crestview Board of Directors changed Tier-1 water allocation from a yearly allocation to a monthly allocation of water shares. In other words, you must use your apportioned Tier-1 allocation in the month allotted or you lose it. In high usage months (summer), shareholders may be pushed into more expensive Tier-2 and Tier-3 rates.

  How Would You Like To Get Your Tier-1 Water Allocation?

  Currently; shareholders receive one equal portion each month, "use it or you lose it"	Prior to 2014; Your allocation was available all year long to use when and as you needed it

• Economy

  read more

  Operating efficiency is a concern to all Crestview shareholders. As of January 1, 2022, Crestview again reduced shareholder allocation to 4,000gal/month. Exceed your monthly allocation, and you are bumped to the next tiers. Previously, water allocation per share dropped from 100,000 gal/year (8,300 gal/month) to 84,000 gal/year (7,000 gal/month) in 2014. As of January 1, 2022, Crestview water is 69% more expensive than Camarillo City water. One-third of your water bill is for employee salaries and benefits.

  Crestview water is 69% more expensive than Camarillo City water. Rates as of January 1, 2022 are per 1,000 gallon units:
  • Tier 1        $4.00 / 1000 gallons  (first 7 units) + standby fee $9 / share
  • Tier 2        $8.105 / 1000 gallons  (next 8-14  units)
  • Tier 3        $15.50/ 1000 gallons  (excess of 14 units)
  
  
  Camarillo City Water ( + $28 service fee / 1” main) Rates as of January 1, 2020 are per 1,000 gallon units: (update pending )
  • Tier 1        $2.15 / 1000 gallons (first 9 units)
  • Tier 2        $5.09 / 1000 (next 10-18 units)
  • Tier 3        $6.45 / 1000 (next 19-24 units)
  • Tier 4        $8.99 / 1000 (excess of 25 units)

• Shareholder’s demand to produce financial records denied by Crestview Board.

  A shareholder's demand to produce financial records and documents (as authorized under the Crestview Bylaws and California Law) was tendered to the Crestview Board. The Board denied the demand. After a threat of litigation, and the Board’s consultation with Crestview’s attorney, the Board provided a heavily redacted financial accounting.

• Board member's wife is partner in the law firm representing Crestview

  The wife of Crestview Board’s President, Sol Chooljian, is a partner (https://www.musickpeeler.com/professional/Laura_McAvoy/) in the law firm of Musick, Peeler & Garrett, LLP. The firm provides Crestview both general legal representation and representation in the pending litigation (Las Posas Valley Water rights Coalition, et al. v. Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency, Crestview Mutual Water Company, et al.). Disclosure and notice is explicitly addressed in Section 2(3) of the Crestview Bylaws.