County wants compensation for being under water conservation program

Calexico Mayor Bill Hodge said they deserve what should be coming to them, possibly millions of dollars in compensation for being under the water conservation program.

“It is only fair on an equitable basis that we be compensated, the property owners, the city, the revenue come through the city, and then we use that money for the public,” Hodge said.

He supports the county’s proposal for Imperial Irrigation District to compensate the local area for the 15 years of cutting back on water.

“The trees and the foliage, lawns that died up that was damaged in individual property owners, we can take that money and use to good public use,” Hodge said.

IID pays farmers to conserve water, but not the cities.

” The farmers have their issues, they have their arguments. I respect that, but water users, the consumers also have their position, ” Hodge said.

IID had $50 million of compensation money at one time. They have about $20 million now.

Erik Ortega, IID Board President, said, ” I of course have not brought it to the IID . It’s not been vetted by IID , either. So, it’s something that we’ll present to the board to get their comments on it. And see if it’s something that we actually can do with transfer money, ” Ortega said.

The proposal will be discussed at the next board meeting on October 8 th .