Casitas Files Eminent Domain Action for Ojai Water Service

The Casitas Municipal Water District filed its Complaint in Eminent Domain in Ventura County Superior Court to acquire the property and assets of the Golden State Water Company in its Ojai service area.

This action implements the 87% vote by of the voters in Golden State’s Ojai service area supporting the takeover by Casitas and the unanimous vote of Casitas’s Board of Directors on April 13, 2016, to use its power of eminent domain to do so.

An unsuccessful lawsuit brought by Golden State delayed Casitas’ acquisition for almost two years. Casitas will apply any damages it is awarded on a second claim included in the eminent domain lawsuit to reduce its acquisition costs to further benefit the property owners and ratepayers in the Ojai community.

“Casitas will move forward with the eminent domain action as quickly as is prudently possible,” said Steve Wickstrum, Casitas’ General Manager. “We appreciate the community’s patience and pledge to do everything within our power to bring this matter to a successful conclusion so that the Ojai ratepayers will receive the benefits of Casitas’ significantly lower water rates and open government controls.”