Move the Yard

Before spending millions, ratepayers deserve to know what it will do to their bills.

At the roughly $20 million project cost reported to our campaign, the renovation represents more than $1,000 per water service connection. That is a measure of the project's size—not a predicted bill increase.

We have asked a simple question: "How will this project affect water rates?" We still want a clear, documented answer, along with a fair comparison of renovation and relocation costs, before more money is committed.

Not necessarily. Moving costs money—but so does renovating the existing yard.

Based on the property-value estimate shared with our campaign, we believe selling the Village site could cover a suitable replacement yard. We also understand that the Cemetery District and Parks District have expressed interest in sharing a facility, which could offer another way to manage costs.

Those possibilities deserve a serious comparison. We believe relocation could be financially practical, but the full acquisition, improvement, moving, and financing costs need to be documented before anyone promises the effect on rates.

The Village's commercial core should be a place for people—not an industrial maintenance and storage yard.

The site is in the commercial district of the Fair Oaks Village Special Planning Area. We believe a maintenance yard conflicts with that district's purpose.

Keeping the yard here ties up land that could contribute to a livelier Village: places to shop, eat, gather, and enjoy local culture. Moving it would let the Water District meet its operational needs in a more suitable location while opening an opportunity for a use that better serves Village life.

Ratepayers still need a clear, current total project budget—and an explanation of what it means for their water bills.

According to the account shared with our campaign, FOWD director Misha Sarkovich put the project cost at $15–20 million during his July 27, 2026 presentation to the Fair Oaks Rotary Club. The District should publish the detailed estimate behind that figure, explain how construction would be funded, and show how renovation compares financially with relocation.

Yes, the County-approved renovation plans include a room explicitly labeled "GYM."

Absolutely. We appreciate the District's employees and the work they do to provide reliable, high-quality water at affordable rates.

Supporting our water service does not mean agreeing with every spending decision. We disagree with committing millions of ratepayer dollars to renovate an industrial yard in the heart of the Village.

Exploring relocation could identify savings for ratepayers while opening this site to a use that better serves the whole community. That possibility deserves a serious financial comparison.

We believe the Board needs to be more transparent about this project and more responsive to community concerns. Our community deserves clear answers, responsible spending, and better representation.

On June 8, 2020, the FOWD Board held a remote meeting to approve the design. Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, our community did not take notice. Meeting minutes ↗

On March 14, 2022, the Sacramento County Planning Commission approved the project, also at a remote hearing with no in-person public attendance. We did not learn about the project until 6 months later. Planning Commission permit ↗

On March 20, 2023, community members attended a Water District Board meeting to ask the Board to stop the renovation and consider relocation. After hearing presentations and public comments, all five directors voted to continue redeveloping the existing yard. Meeting minutes ↗