Judge: San Juan Capistrano Owes $237,242 in Attorney Fees

An Orange County Superior Court judge has ordered the city of San Juan Capistrano to pay attorneys for the Capistrano Taxpayers Association $237,242.

The citizen group sued and last year won a lawsuit that asserted the city’s water rates violate the California Constitution by not tying fees to actual costs of delivering the water. The City Council decided in September to appeal the case.

Nevertheless, Judge Franz E. Miller issued the ruling  Tuesday that orders the city to pay CTA’s attorneys’ fees and even adjusted it upward by $17,000 over a tentative ruling which came out last week, Tuesday.

“We’re pleased with the judge’s decision and thought it was fair,” said Mike Hensley, co-counsel representing the Capistrano Taxpayers Association.

Meanwhile, the appeal process continues. Hensley expects a hearing, often called “oral arguments,” before a three-judge panel later this year.