Supervisor Sabatier urges short-term review and clearer cost spreadsheet before long-term pipeline deal

Supervisor Sabatier told colleagues he was willing to approve a limited interim agreement but said a 25-year approval is premature without a full pipeline cost review. He repeatedly asked staff and fellow board members to explain how the cost allocations operate and flagged Exhibit 1 — the 1995 methodology for calculating avoidance costs and shares — as unchanged and unclear.

"I'm okay with a 1 to 2 year agreement, so that we can have that review," Sabatier said during the board discussion, arguing for more frequent reassessment. He said he was concerned Clear Lake Oaks might end up paying more than its equitable share and that the board should receive a spreadsheet showing the percent of the line each district is responsible for and how those percentages were derived.

Director Boire responded with the current cost-sharing description (district-specific pumping costs and the steam-supplier payments), but Sabatier and other supervisors said they wanted up-to-date, line-by-line numbers before supporting a long-term commitment. The board approved the 25-year amendment at the meeting, but several supervisors asked staff to return with a clearer allocation table so the board can confirm fairness to all ratepayers.