(A decision could come by the end of the week)…or, possibly by the beginning of next week.

The decision would be in the latest legal action filed by Mike Abatti against the Imperial Irrigation District. Abatti and the IID went before Imperial County Superior Court Judge Brooks Anderholt Tuesday. The IID was defending against a contempt of court lawsuit filed by Abatti. It is an extension of the litigation brought against the District by Abatti in 2013 that challenged IID’s Equitable Distribution Plan, and is currently on appeal before the 4th District Court of Appeal. The new legal challenge alleges the IID is contempt for violating the judge’s August 2017 order prohibiting the district from entering into any new industrial water supply contracts until it implements an EDP based on Water History. The District argues the amendment in question was an extension of an existing contract with longtime customer Ormat. They contend that amendment calls for, but does not guarantee an additional 500 acre-feet per year to Ormat and does not violate the 2017 order. Anderholt heard both arguments Tuesday. He took the matter under submission and said a decision would be coming in the next week.