Show All Answers

1. How will we pay for Phase 1 of the Sewer Project?

Property owners will finance the cost to construct Phase 1 of the Sewer Project through a loan from the State Revolving Fund.  Payments will be made over 30 years on the property taxes with a low-interest rate of 1%.

2. When will the assessment amount appear on my taxes?

Property tax assessments for infrastructure costs to construct Phase 1 will appear on the December 2018 property tax installment. Property owners that have escrow accounts may want to start putting away their monthly estimated assessment charge in a separate account so when their December taxes are due, they will have enough to cover the new fees. It might be wise for property owners to consult with their escrow companies to find out how to add the additional monies to their accounts to cover the increase. If property owners choose to finance their private property connection costs through a separate optional assessment that will be offered, that cost will appear on property tax billing statements as soon as the property is connected and using the sewer system. The monthly maintenance fee will also be placed on the property taxes once the property is connected to the sewer system.

3. If I sell my property, is the balance for the sewer connection to be paid in full, or will the new home buyer assume the balance?

The assessment on an owner’s property taxes will be pro-rated and transferred to the new buyer after the property is sold. It rides with the land.

4. Will the amount that I am assessed ever increase?

Once the assessment amount is approved, it can never be higher than what appears on the printed Assessment District ballot. However, the assessed amount may be lowered as the project continues to receive grants and other sources of funding.

5. Will Phase 2 and 3 have to pay for Phase 1?

Property owners in Phases 2 and 3 currently will pay only for those portions of Phase 1 from which they will derive benefit. They will be assessed at a later date any remaining amount, once their Phases are designed. Property owners in Phase 1 will only be assessed once for infrastructure costs. In 2017, the Board of Directors unanimously approved merging Phases 2 and 3 to make one additional assessment vote for these phases. This move will help control costs.

6. How much is my assessment?

Cost Breakdown

• Community Development Block Grants - Hi-Desert Water District (HDWD) is applying for these grants to help support a low-income assistance program.
• Other Resources - HDWD is working to identify sources of funding that would support a low-income assistance program.
• State Revolving Fund - HDWD secured a loan from the State Water Resources Control Board State Revolving Fund by securing a low-interest rate of 1%. This low-interest rate dramatically reduces payments and financing costs.
• U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Grant - HDWD has a $20 million allocation from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and as the District receives the monies it will be deducted from the annual assessment.

Commercial property owners can call 1-844- 987-3937 or email Hi-Desert Water District to obtain individual assessment costs.

7. Will properties owned by government entities such as the Town of Yucca Valley or the school district incur an assessment also?

Yes.

8. How and when did property owners vote to form the Assessment District?

On May 13, 2015, property owners approved forming Assessment District 2014-1 by mail-in ballot to finance the cost to construct Phase 1 of the Sewer Project. There will be subsequent assessment district formations by vote at a later date to secure funding to construct Phases 2 and 3.

9. How is Hi-Desert Water District working to save money on the project?

Hi-Desert Water District (HDWD) has explored multiple funding options to provide the best possible project at the lowest possible cost for our customers. HDWD has secured millions of dollars in federal, state and local grants in addition to debt forgiveness and low interest loans to help finance the project as cost-effectively as possible.

Funding sources include:

• U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Grant - HDWD has a $20 million allocation from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and as the District receives the monies it will be deducted from the annual assessment.
• State Revolving Fund - HDWD secured a loan from the State Water Resources Control Board State Revolving Fund by securing a low interest rate of 1%. This low interest rate dramatically reduces payments and financing costs.
• Community Development Block Grants - HDWD is applying for these grants to help support a low-income assistance program.
• Other Resources - HDWD is working to identify sources of funding that would support a low-income assistance program.