Redistricting ensures equal representation within Otay’s service area

SPRING VALLEY, CA – The Otay Water District’s (District) Board of Directors has adopted a resolution that re-apportions the District’s five divisions. According to 2010 U.S. Census data, a significant increase and shift in population has occurred within the District and the Board of Directors redrew its division boundaries to ensure equal representation is maintained. This action alters the division boundaries of each director.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the District consistently ranked as one of the fastest growing water districts in San Diego County. This fact was reaffirmed by the 2010 U.S. Census, which indicated that the District’s population increased by more than 37,000 people between 2000 and 2010, a 21 percent increase. The Census data also indicated that much of this growth took place in just three of the District’s five divisions, causing an imbalance in division populations. The affected areas, which include city of Chula Vista divisions 1, 2 and 4, encompass the communities of Eastlake, Salt Creek, San Miguel Ranch, Sunbow and Otay Ranch.

“Ratepayers remain the District’s number one priority,” said Board President Jose Lopez. “We want to ensure that our customers are accurately represented by the board of directors and re-apportioning the District’s divisions successfully achieves this goal.”

As a result of the population changes, the District’s Board of Directors held a public redistricting workshop in January 2012 to review the Census data and consider potential redistricting solutions. Five alternative maps for redistricting were presented for review and comment. Following the presentation and discussion of the various options, the Board unanimously selected a preferred alternative to rebalance the divisions. Prior to the proposed new divisional boundaries being adopted, the District held a public hearing on February 1, 2012 to receive public comments on the proposed changes. Public notices and a map of the new divisions were placed in newspapers of general circulation serving the District’s service area. The notice and map were also placed on the District’s web site, www.otaywater.gov.

The approved division map will be filed with the San Diego County Registrar of Voters office to update the District’s divisional boundaries as part of the decennial redistricting for federal, state, county, municipal, educational and special districts.