COST Threatens Lawsuit Over MMWD Rate Hike in MarinIJ

A taxpayer group put the Marin Municipal Water District on notice Thursday, saying it faces “legal peril” if it approves a proposed water rate and fee hike next week.

“It effectively notifies the water district of multiple potential violations of the law if they approve the new fee and rate hike as proposed at the rate hearing on May 28,” Mimi Willard, founder and president of the Coalition of Sensible Taxpayers, or COST, wrote in an email. “I can’t comment on what will be our next step if MMWD proceeds. What I can say is that MMWD can neutralize many of the legal issues if they don’t approve the rate/fee as proposed.”

The water district board of directors is set to vote Tuesday to approve a four-year water rate and fee hike, which includes a new “capital maintenance fee” on customers’ yearly property tax bills. More here