Rare urge to merge: Two suburban water fiefdoms become one

(Published Sept. 14, 2001)

"My name is Joe and I watch the dough." This is the long-time self-characterization of Joe Sullivan, executive director of the Sacramento County Taxpayers League. He is laudably living up to his word when it comes to his night job, as a long-time board member of the Northridge Water District. This is one of 17 water districts in Sacramento County north of the American River. Needless to say, there's no need for 17 districts. Thanks in part to the work of Sullivan, this region may soon have a measly 16.

Northridge is in the final stages of merging with its neighbor, the Arcade Water District. Northridge's existing boundaries straddle Interstate 80. Its eastern border is Citrus Heights and it encompasses the former McClellan Air Force Base to the west. Arcade serves a section of North Highlands as well as a separate slice of suburbia between I-80 and the American River. Together, the two water districts serve about 200,000 residents.

The state over the years has given birth to hundreds upon hundreds of water districts and purveyors. Often they were established to begin irrigating land or to convert farmland into an urban neighborhood. A logical evolution would have seen many of these districts ultimately merge with their neighbors.

That, however, would have meant that countless water board members would have had to surrender their political offices. They would have had to forgo those annual expense-paid trips to water conferences in Monterey or Disneyland.

Northridge and Arcade officials believe they are the first water districts in Northern California ever to merge. Within three years, the combined district will save a million dollars annually simply by consolidating the operations of the merged districts. Their two boards, each with five members, will eventually become a single seven-member body.

"When you get rid of a top official, an attorney and three politicians, it cannot be bad," said Arcade board member Byron Buck. In this instance, at least, he's right.

The veteran of Northridge named Joe has been truly concerned more about the dough than political turf. The same holds true for the public servants of both of these districts. What a rare, and beautiful, thing to behold.