CAMARILLO : Officials Criticize Grand Jury Report

Camrosa Water District officials say they are upset that they must spend taxpayers’ money to study a Ventura County grand jury recommendation to consolidate some services with the city of Camarillo.

The district has about two months to respond to a recent report that said Camrosa and Camarillo officials should investigate whether consolidating some services would result in a more efficient and economical operation.

But that investigation, Camrosa officials say, could require hiring outside consultants during a time when budgets are lean and could be hit anytime with cuts in state aid.

“We’re not happy about it all,” said Camrosa General Manager Richard Hajas.

Camrosa Director Tim Hoag agreed. “I just think it’s a waste of taxpayers’ money that you have to prove you’re a good district,” he said. “I just think the whole thing is a bit of a fiasco myself.”

Camrosa officials reacted similarly after receiving a letter several months ago from the grand jury, which made the same preliminary recommendation.

The letter to both Camrosa and Camarillo officials said the proposal was based on an in-depth study of Camrosa operations, a point district officials said was highly exaggerated. Camrosa refused to discuss the matter further until the reasoning behind the recommendation was released.

The grand jury released its final report about two weeks ago, including only six paragraphs on the issue. Camrosa officials, who discussed the report at a meeting last week, said they felt their criticism was justified.

“There was no in-depth study done,” Hajas said.

Camarillo officials initially had said the grand jury proposal warranted further study, and Camarillo City Manager William Little held to that position Monday.

Little said Camrosa does not necessarily have to help pay for a consolidation study. He added that the city of Camarillo is in no hurry to launch one, particularly with the state budget still up in the air.

“I think it’s worth following up when we can do that,” Little said.