August Decision Due on Sanitary District

The county Local Agency Formation Commission plans to decide in August the fate of the Garden Grove Sanitary District, which is in the middle of a fight over who will control sewers and trash in Garden Grove.

Some city officials are proposing to take over the district, calling it “inefficient” and an “unnecessary layer of government.”

District officials accuse the city of wanting to take over the district only to get its property tax money in order to balance the city budget, which is facing a $7-million shortfall.

During a 3 1/2-hour public hearing attended by more than 200 people this week, Councilman Bob Dinsen agreed.

He said the city hopes to “eventually create a new revenue source” by taking over the sanitary district.

He added that he believes the district is doing a good job.

“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” he said to boisterous cheers and applause.

Councilman Mark Leyes countered: “This has everything to do with good government and not with balancing our budget. The reason why we have a shortfall is because we refuse to raise taxes.”

The city’s proposal calls for converting the sanitary district into a subsidiary district of Garden Grove, to be governed by the City Council.

It also calls for serving the parts of the city that now are served by the Midway City Sanitary District.

LAFCO board members said the city’s is preparing an environmental study on the matter, due later this month.

A vote on the proposal is expected at another LAFCO public hearing Aug. 7.