It was asked if any phone calls or letters have been made for emergency funding. Jackson stated Assemblywoman Dahle’s office had been contacted. They gave a small grant to fix one of the leaks, adding because they can still drink the water and the pump was still working, they didn’t qualify as an emergency. From the audience, Julie Herod asked what happens when they hook up to our hydrants to fight a house fire. Johnathan stated it depends on where you live. Some areas may not have sufficient water pressure. If this continues, nobody will be able to water anything come summertime, as they are sending less gallons to the tank. Jackson wanted an adhoc committee formed to look at grants and was going to leverage everyone to help like Eastern Plumas Health Care (EPHC) and Sierra-Plumas Joint Unified School District. They will also be looking at a bond, raising water and sewer rates, and at all sorts of other ideas.
Sierra County Supervisor Sharon Dryden, commended them on getting a committee. She stated Sierra Brooks had a committee that worked on their water system for 10 years, adding government grants could probably come with systems being metered which created a lot of controversy, and comes with a cost. Dryden concluded by stating when people start to realize someone has to pay for this, you will have a lot more people at meetings. Jackson praised County response from OES, stating they had water to schools, skilled nursing and everyone within 12 hours. She said they have exhausted the water savings, and the Council authorized a loan out of the sewer fund and will have to pay it back eventually to make water improvements and develop those plans. EPHC CEO Doug McCoy said they would certainly use all their resources to see what information they can come up with. Next town hall will be December 1st at 6:30 p.m. Jackson hoped the committee could meet before December 1st so they can give an update on December 1st.