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Another Mistake Made On Ballot Measure By South Bay Water Officials

SAN JOSE (KCBS) – For the second time in as many weeks, the largest water provider in Silicon Valley has had to call an emergency meeting to fix minor mistakes on a proposed ballot measure.

The latest mistake – in the words of Santa Clara Valley Water District CEO Beau Goldie – involved "extremely minor changes."

Goldie said the first change was to remove two words from the measure, which went over the state's 75 word limit. Then, district officials realized the dates of the tax measure were wrong, making it a 16 year parcel tax instead of 15 years.

KCBS' Matt Bigler Reports:

"I think this is a distraction from the benefits of the measure, because it does really provide a lot of outstanding projects for the community," said Goldie.

Among the proposed projects are things like dam restoration, flood protection and creek maintenance.

The Silicon Valley Taxpayers Association is considering a lawsuit to keep the measure off the ballot, claiming the water district did not abide by open meeting rules when making the changes. Not so, said Santa Clara Valley Water District Board Member Richard Santos.

"If people are going to sue, let them sue. But I don't believe that's the case," said Santos. "I believe it's more hype than it is and some people just love to make fun of someone when they make a mistake."

A judge still has to approve the changes because they were made after the election deadline.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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