I would like to respond to Dave Tripp (Star Letters, Wednesday, April 6, 2016).
The real issues here are:
How can Three Mile Irrigators continue to conduct our business of irrigating in the most efficient manner after the satisfaction of the thirty-year bond?
BRID is not part of this struggle. They are the victims of it. The struggle is between factions of irrigators. Faction 1 understands the success/advantages of tax assessment satisfying a very large debt, and desire to continue in that success. Faction 2 – (Citizens for Fair Water) – Well, we really don’t know what they are looking for, other than confusion.
How have the Three Mile Irrigators efficiently and successfully built and financed this business for the past 30 years? Through Tax Assessment, taxpayer monies not collected by BRID, but assessed and collected by the Ravalli County Treasurer. The Ravalli County Treasurer then deposits the taxpayer monies into BRID’s account, which is audited annually.
The “Citizens for Fair Water” have not offered one single proposal to satisfy the financial need for BRID to continue to provide maintenance and eventual replacement of Three Mile Gravity System. The “Citizens for Fair Water” have only proposed:
• Rescinding Petitions (Posted March 22, 2016 by Jim Rokosch, Bob Cress, Shane Brooks, Ron Wandler)
• False information to Three Mile Irrigators that a Subdistrict would allow BRID to take possession of their water wells (asked of me by a Three Mile resident.)
• False information to Three Mile Irrigators that a Subdistrict would devalue their property (Posted March 22, 2016 by Jim Rokosch, Bob Cress, Shane Brooks, Ron Wandler).
A lawsuit placed before a judge filed by “Citizens for Fair Water” at this point has cost the Three Mile Irrigators (you and me) in excess of $30,000 and climbing.
What options do the Three Mile Irrigators have if a sub-district is not organized? Irrigators will be forced to develop a Homeowners Association type entity to collect operation funds. Irrigators will need to manage their own repairs. Irrigators will be required to fund liability insurance. Irrigators will need to fund their own ditch rider, vehicle, office space, equipment and staff. Irrigators will be required to develop an accounting system, budget system and office manager. Irrigators will be required to cover attorney fees for their system.
Through a Subdistrict all of the above matters will be satisfied and resolved by the Ravalli County Treasurer’s assessment process under BRID.
Cary Hays, Three Mile irrigator
Stevensville