AGENCY SET TO VOTE ON BUYING SANTA CLARITA WATER CO.

Byline: Angela M. Lemire Staff Writer

The Castaic Lake Water Agency, the area's wholesale water supplier, is scheduled to vote today on the purchase of the Santa Clarita Water Co., its largest retailer, amid some outcry for more public input.

The action will require the agency's Board of Directors to vote on a so-called resolution of necessity and to authorize borrowing about $70 million, sources said.

Approval would not finalize an agreement for the transfer of ownership, but it would authorize Castaic Lake Water officials to extend the agency's acquisition offer.

Castaic Lake Water officials on Tuesday declined to release details of the proposed deal, which has been sought since December, citing the need for board members to review information prior to public disclosure.

``If the board approves the action, the public can expect the same level of service they've been receiving,'' said Castaic Water spokeswoman Kiza Stratton.

Santa Clarita Water Company President Bill Manetta declined comment until the outcome of the Castaic Water board's vote.

Although a public forum is scheduled for 6:30 tonight at the Rio Vista Water Treatment Plant on Bouquet Canyon Road, board member Ed Dunn claims more input from residents should come before the final vote, which requires approval from two-thirds of the 11 board members.

``The public isn't being asked whether we should do this. They're basically going to be told what's being done,'' said Dunn, who concurs with fellow board member Mike Kotch that not enough discussion has occurred. ``We know we're outnumbered on this.''

The public should have had more time to prepare for tonight's hearing, either through the media or other public hearings, Kotch agreed.

``It looks like you're going to have to shoot from the hip if you're the public,'' Kotch said.

He's not satisfied that he's been informed on all details, he said, such as payment terms, the sale's effect on management structure and all potential risks.

``This whole acquisition has been a surprise in many ways. We've had this fed to us with little time to prepare,'' Kotch said. ``Frankly, as a board member, I still have a lot of questions.''

Stratton said residents have been able to comment at public board meetings held since negotiations were announced seven months ago.

``I find these claims to be totally unfounded,'' said Stratton. ``This information has been in the public eye for months and months now.''

Although agency officials have met to discuss terms in closed session, public input was invited through a number of outlets, including local newspaper advertisements, letters sent to Santa Clarita Water Co.'s 21,750 customers, public meetings and local cable television access programming, she said.

Information gathered through ``intense evaluations'' and tours of the Santa Clarita Water Co., as well as terms of the deal, will be shared with the public tonight, she said.

City officials also are watching tonight's vote carefully, as the city made its own bid to purchase the privately owned Santa Clarita Water Co. in 1998 but failed after the company turned down its offer of $48 million.

``It's a watch and see at this point,'' said city spokeswoman Gail Ortiz. ``The council has been very interested in purchasing the water company in the past. If (the Castaic Lake Water Agency) fails, the council may be interested in throwing its hat in the ring again.''