Ron Thompson, general manager of the Washington County Water Conservancy District, said the water district did collect taxes on properties it did not provide with water, but argued the residents who live in the residences work, shop and attend school in St. George. Consequently, he said, they benefit from the water the Washington County Water District provides. Thompson said the water district had also helped neighboring communities through water shortages and infrastructure failures, and so when "they say they get no benefit…that is a very narrow view of what really happens."