California's drought and a precedent-setting appellate ruling about tiered rates have kept Salt at the forefront of the municipal water industry.
Salt was long a sought-after expert on municipal issues from water to finance but her expertise on Proposition 218 propelled her into a class all her own. It's the law at the heart of the groundbreaking San Juan Capistrano tiered rates ruling from the 4th District Court of Appeal, and it now dominates her time.
She still advises agencies on bond and municipal finance, "but with the expansion of all these cases challenging rates throughout California, that's pretty much taken all my practice," Salt said.
She's also working pro bono with the Association for California Water Agencies on a constitutional amendment to address the legal challenges to tiers in the wake of the San Juan Capistrano case. Capistrano Taxpayers Ass'n Inc. v. City of San Juan Capistrano, 235 Cal. App. 4th 1493 (2015). She is co-counsel on an amicus brief on behalf of the agency in support of Amador Water Agency. It argues that a local government's legislative action to establish a property-related fee is not subject to referendum, another key argument in the battle over California water rates.
A San Diego city attorney for 13 years, Salt provides behind-the-scenes legal advice as municipalities develop critical programs that must meet stringent requirements.
She helped the Water Foundation identify ways to fund infrastructure that treats stormwater at its source, reducing flood risk and improving water quality, and she's representing a county as it develops a program that will replenish groundwater basins with stormwater.
"One of the best things about working with public agencies is you always feel like you're working toward something positive to help communities," she said.
— Meghann M. Cuniff
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