Churchill Ranchos on Stagecoach GID to be heard

YERINGTON - The future of a small privately owned water company should soon be determined.

A public hearing of a county ordinance proposing the Stagecoach General Improvement District be required to include the Churchill Ranchos Subdivision into the district's boundaries is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday.

During the past several months residents have protested being forced into the Stagecoach District. A petition signed by over half of the developments water users and presented to commissioners in June, said they would prefer the system be operated by Dayton Utilities rather than the Stagecoach district. Residents who signed also said they objected to the district's 53 cents per $100 assessed value tax assessment on each property within the district.

Stagecoach has since considered eliminating the tax assessment in favor of imposing a $8.50 a month service availability fee on all users within the district, beginning July 1, 2000. And according to an August 31 report from the Stagecoach GID Rate Committee, base water rates will be assessed at $35 for 25,000 gallons and $1.50 per thousand over the base.

Following a lengthy discussion between residents, current owners of the water system and county personnel on Aug. 19, commissioners postponed making a decision until the Oct. 7 meeting.

The Lyon County Commissioners meet in the Courthouse Annex, beginning at 9 a.m. The special hearing will begin at 10 a.m. For information call 577-5037 (Dayton/Silver Springs) or 463-6531.