The Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District (CCGCD) performs an essential function in Kendall County. The manager and directors are charged with the enormous job of protecting the quality and quantity of our groundwater, in a county full of different geologic formations with different depletion and recharge rates. Consider the demands on our water: developers want it for their subdivisions, farmers and ranchers want water for irrigation, established communities need water for their residents, and small property owners whose wells are their only source of water. All this in a county where we really don’t even know how much sustainable water we have.
The CCGCD needs funds to continue aquifer research, continue monitoring the 31 wells they study at least twice each month, develop more monitoring wells in different parts of the county plus the equipment to provide realtime data from them, not to mention the administration duties of issuing drilling permits, commercial permit applications, and drought studies and accompanying regulations to protect our water supply. They must also pay the county for tax collection service.
They currently do this work and more on a tiny budget, and almost half of their funds come from new well fees and commercial water charges, an unstable and unreliable source of income. They need and deserve a more stable income source.
On May 10, Kendall County voters will be asked to approve a ½ cent tax increase to support their operations. This will amount to less than $1.25 per month for the average homeowner. It is a small amount of money, but very important to the district.
For most Kendall County voters, it is the only item you will be asked to vote on, but it is extremely important that you make the effort to vote. Early voting starts April 28th at the courthouse and the general election is May 10th , with voting at several locations around the county.
If water is important to you, and especially if you have your own well, this may be the most important vote you cast this year. These funds will help support research to understand our aquifer’s capacity and recharge, help with monitoring well levels, and help protect us all from overdevelopment of our limited water resources.
Please vote yes for the Cow Creek on or before May 10th.
Bob Webster
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