Nipomo begins pipeline process

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• Nipomo Mesa is set to consider pipeline cost

  Nipomo Mesa is set to consider pipeline cost

  Some Nipomo Mesa residents could pay from $120 to $225 a year for 30 years to fund construction of a pipeline to bring water to the community from Santa Maria.

  But many others could pay at least double that, depending on the size of their property and other factors.

  The Nipomo Community Services District, which is leading efforts to form an assessment district to pay for the pipeline, has released updated cost estimates for residents who receive water from one of the four purveyors that will share the project’s costs.

• Nipomo Mesa voters face decision on water pipeline

  Nipomo Mesa voters face decision on water pipeline

  Over the next seven weeks, property owners on the Nipomo Mesa will have a chance to vote on whether to pay for construction of a pipeline to bring water to the community from Santa Maria.

  The Nipomo Community Services District, which is leading efforts to form an assessment district to pay for the pipeline, will mail ballots to residents by March 23 asking whether they will agree to levy a tax to cover the pipeline’s estimated $25.9 million capital cost.

  The ballot period will be open until the close of a May 9 public hearing; a majority of the returned ballots is required for passage. District board members voted unanimously Wednesday to start the balloting process.

• Nipomo Mesa landowners vote against water pipeline funding plan

  Nipomo Mesa landowners vote against water pipeline funding plan

  The Nipomo Community Services District boardroom was quiet Thursday afternoon while some local residents watched as the final ballots were counted to determine the fate of a nearly $26 million project to bring water to the area from Santa Maria.

  The silence continued even after district General Manager Michael LeBrun announced the results: The measure had failed, gaining just 48 percent approval from property owners in voting weighted according to proposed land assessments.

  Nipomo Community Services District officials were leading the effort to form an assessment district by asking property owners of 8,077 parcels whether they would agree to levy a tax to cover the capital cost of constructing a pipeline to transport water to the Nipomo Mesa.

• Ballots cast on Nipomo pipeline project

  Ballots cast on Nipomo pipeline project

  Nipomo Mesa residents will learn today whether they will pay to fund construction of a pipeline to bring additional water to the area from Santa Maria.

  Over the past seven weeks, property owners of 8,077 parcels have been able to vote on whether to levy a tax to cover the pipeline’s estimated $26 million capital cost.

  The balloting ended Wednesday at a public hearing at the Nipomo Community Service District’s office, which is leading efforts to form an assessment district to pay for the pipeline. The tabulation will be overseen by members of the League of Women Voters.

• Nipomo pipeline project expensive but necessary

  Nipomo pipeline project expensive but necessary

  Property owners in the Nipomo area soon will vote on whether to increase their property taxes to pay for a $26 million pipeline to import water from Santa Maria.

  The question isn’t so much whether the water is needed; even opponents of the project acknowledge that it makes sense to have another source of water. Rather, the debate is over whether Santa Maria water is the best source. Those opposed to the tax measure point to other projects — especially desalination — as better alternatives.

  We recognize that the pipeline will be expensive. If approved, Nipomo-area property owners will not only see their taxes increase, they’ll also pay higher water rates.