Rare election underway

Tuscan Water District, if approved, would be first one formed locally since 1984

The formation of the Tuscan Water District is up for vote for landowners in parts of Chico and unincorporated Butte County to the tune of about 100,000 acres in size. Ballots were mailed Nov. 7, and polls close 5 p.m. Dec. 5.

The district's purpose is to help administer groundwater sustainability plans in the Vina and Butte subbasins, according to an impartial analysis signed by Butte Local Agency Formation Commission Executive Officer Stephan Lucas.

Proponents of the formation say the district will help satisfy sustainability measures listed in the Butte and Vina groundwater sustainability plans in an interest to avoid reduction of farmers' groundwater usage — not previously regulated until the 2014 Sustainable Groundwater Management Act.

Opponents of the formation say the election process is not fair, and that taxpayers would, in a way, subsidize the water projects that benefit irrigating well users.

If voters approve the formation, the Tuscan Water District would be the latest water district formed with landowners from Butte County since 1984 with the formation of the Western Canal Water District.

Butte County Clerk-Recorder/Registrar Keaton Denlay said his predecessor, Candace Grubbs, told him she'd never recalled overseeing the election of a water district during her tenure since 1986.

“This is totally unique compared to any other election that we do in Butte County,” Denlay said. “Generally you have one person, one vote. That's not really how this one is being calculated.”

Land value vote

Voting power in this election is based on a property's land value — it does not include the value of added improvements, like a house.