Court: Groundwater pumping fees are not taxes
By Carolyn Whetzel, Bloomberg
A decision by California’s highest court could give a boost to local water agencies grappling with how to implement the state’s landmark groundwater management law.
The California Supreme Court ruled that the charges Ventura must pay to a local water district for groundwater conservation activities aren’t taxes or fees that require approval by property owners or voters.
Because the United Water Conservation District’s charges aren’t for property-related services, they don’t require approval either by property owners or two-thirds of area voters, the court said, affirming a 2015 lower court ruling.