Paso water district supporters raise 6 times as much money as opponents

As the deadline looms for returning mail-in ballots in the election over whether to form a Paso Robles groundwater management district, supporters have raised nearly six times as much money as opponents in their campaigns to sway voters.

According to campaign finance contribution statements filed with the San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder’s Office that run through Feb. 23, the group Yes on Paso Robles Basin Water District A-16 has raised $98,399 this year and spent $80,185.

A second pro-district formation group, the Paso Robles Agricultural Alliance for Groundwater Solutions, or PRAAGS, started 2015 with some funds in the bank, and it raised an additional $21,227 that year; it reported spending $43,479. It ended the year with $27,577 in cash on hand. It has also raised an additional $500 this year.

On the other hand, the Paso Robles Water Integrity Network, which opposes the district, raised $13,234 in 2015 and $6,850 this year for a total of $20,084. It has spent a total of $17,905.

Supporters of the water district have made 21 contributions of $100 or more, mostly from vineyards. The largest contribution was $9,000 from Red Cedar Vineyards Co. of Olympia, Wash., which has 1,500 acres of grapes in the Shandon area.

Other large contributors were Paris Valley Vineyard Services Co. of Templeton, which donated $8,000, and J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines of San Jose, which donated $5,000.

The pro-district campaign’s money was spent on a combination of mailers, radio and print advertising, and public relations. The biggest expense was $28,930 to the public relations firm Public Policy Solutions of San Luis Obispo.

Opponents of the proposed water district made 36 contributions of $100 or more, mostly from individuals and businesses. The largest contributor was Aguiar For Assessor 2022 of Rancho Santa Margarita.

Other large contributors were H.M. Holloway Inc., a Bakersfield fertilizer supplier, and Suzanne Rava of Paso Robles; they gave $1,000 each.

Opposition money was spent on mailers, yard signs, bumper stickers and advertising. The largest expense was $2,800 to KSBY-TV in San Luis Obispo. KPRL of Paso Robles received $1,002 for radio advertising.

Ballots for the election were sent out Feb. 8 to registered voters and property owners in the Paso Robles groundwater basin. They must be returned or postmarked by March 8.

About 7,200 registered voters will decide whether to approve a parcel tax that will fund the district with nearly $1 million a year for five years. It must be approved by a two-thirds margin.

About 4,800 property owners will decide by a simple majority whether the district should be formed.

Both measures must be approved for the district to be formed.

Eleven candidates are running for nine seats on the proposed district’s board of directors. None of the candidates has filed forms to create a campaign organization, which is required if a candidate receives $100 or more in campaign contributions.

State water officials have declared the sprawling 790-square-mile Paso Robles groundwater basin to be in critical overdraft, meaning more water is being pumped out of it than is replenished by rainfall. Water levels in the basin have fallen 100 feet or more in some areas.

This story was originally published February 24, 2016 at 6:12 PM with the headline "Paso water district supporters raise 6 times as much money as opponents."