LOS ALAMITOS : City May Drop Out of Water District

City officials want to re-evaluate the city’s relationship with the Los Alamitos Water District, which provides sewer services to area residents.

Officials are worried that the water district, formed eight years before the city was incorporated in 1960, may not be able to provide efficient service at reasonable cost to residents in the future.

In what amounts to filing for divorce, the city will ask the Local Agency Formation Commission for permission to “detach” from the water district and assume sewer services within city limits.

The water district provides sewer services to about 8,000 households in Los Alamitos, Rossmoor and portions of Seal Beach and Cypress.

“We’re just looking after the interest of Los Alamitos residents,” said Mayor Anthony R. Selvaggi on Monday after a unanimous council vote to break away from the water district.

“We want to provide the best sewer service at the cheapest cost to our residents. There are no personalities involved,” Selvaggi said.

The council action came one month after Carolyn T. Sylvia, wife of Los Alamitos Councilman Charles E. Sylvia, suggested that the water district dissolve itself to cut administrative costs.

In a report submitted to the five-member board and the council, Carolyn Sylvia said that taxpayers could save $70,000 a year by eliminating the salaries, benefits and office expenses of the water district’s general manager and board of directors.

Water district officials said Carolyn Sylvia’s projected savings were exaggerated. Arylss Burkett, a water district director, said that Carolyn Sylvia’s suggestion may have been prompted by Los Alamitos officials who may be interested in the district’s properties and reserves.

But Burkett on Monday seemed resigned that the district may eventually have to disband.

“My inclination is not to fight,” said Burkett. “If the people of Los Alamitos want it, so be it.”

Edwyna Moyer, a water district director for the last 20 years, said that she won’t fight the council decision either. “I’m getting tired of fighting with politicians,” she said.

Jack Rosenthal, president of the board, said he will “cooperate in any way I can.”

The council directed City Manager Robert C. Dunek to prepare the application to LAFCO, the agency responsible for creating and dissolving public agencies, and to notify surrounding communities about the decision.