Inglewood Councilwoman Gloria Gray is also a member of the Board of Directors for the West Basin Municipal Water District. In 2017, three ratepayers filed a class-action lawsuit against the water agency. A judge ruled in their favor in 2022.
The lawsuit alleged West Basin had illegally charged ratepayers for 26 years. Gray has been a member of its board since 2006. She was named president of the board in January of this year.
As we navigate the pressing challenges of the state’s water supply, including extreme weather conditions due to climate change, I remain committed to upholding the values of innovation, sustainability, and community stewardship,” said Gray. “I am honored to serve as the Board President and look forward to leading the District in advancing our vital mission of securing water for tomorrow. Together with my fellow board members, we will continue to ensure our communities have access to safe and reliable water.”
West Basin Municipal Water District Announces 2025 Board Positions
Of the 227,000 eligible property owners, only 179 claims were received. The law firm that filed the claim was awarded $9 million in legal files woke the 179 claimants split $80,000.
The City of Inglewood is now proposing to increase residents’ water bills. This is a direct result of the multi-million-dollar settlement given final approval by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge.
“Huskinson, Brown & Heidenreich, LLP announce that a class action settlement has been reached in a lawsuit against the West Basin Municipal Water District (“West Basin”) about allegations that it violated various articles of the California Constitution and the Uniform Standby Charge Procedures Act by charging a fee referred to as an “Assessment” or “Standby Charge.” West Basin denies that it did anything wrong. West Basin has agreed to reduce the Standby Charge overtime and eliminate the Standby Charge in West Hollywood by June 30, 2024 at the latest and by June 30, 2030 for the remainder of its service area.”
The lawsuit was first reported by the Daily Breeze in an article titled Lawsuit alleges West Basin has been illegally charging ratepayers for 26 years.
(Photo: City of Inglewood)
When Gray was sworn into office as a member of the Inglewood City Council in 2022, no expense was spared. She had the largest ceremony in the history of the City. It is one of the many examples of excessive spending of taxpayer funds. Meanwhile, the City continues to raise fees, including parking, trash, water, and sewer, to keep the fund balances in the black.
West Basin lawyers have determined that Gloria Gray is “likely” to be in violation of state law. This is by sitting on the water board agency considering they set the rates that Inglewood pays to purchase water. Gray remains defiant in keeping both seats.
Both the Inglewood District 1 and the West Basin seats Gray sits on will be on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot. Will she run for both seats again?
Read the court’s ruling below.
West-Basin-ruling