Helix Water District Board Meeting - Wednesday, March 4, 2pm

Here is the agenda and board package link for our Helix Water District Regular Board Meeting:
AGENDA
REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Wednesday, March 4, 2015 – 2pm
7811 University Avenue, La Mesa, CA 91942-0427  
Interesting Items:  
Minutes of February 18, pdf Page 31: I asked to continue Item 10, the Water Rate Structure Cost of Service Workshop, as the Board and Public were not given any water rate structure financial and calculations ahead of time to prepare for the meeting. And that having a Workshop in the middle of a Board Meeting would make for a very long meeting. However, I was voted down, 4 to 1, with a promise that nothing would be voted on during the Board Report. Subsequently, the Board Meeting went on to 6:30pm, with at one time Director Verbeke asking to speed up the meeting. The Power Point Presentation was 50 Slides long, here is the link to the Power Point Presentation  There are several areas that I have questions on, such as why the cost of the Irrigation (Not Ag) Water is less than the Tier 2, “outdoor” use of residential and also less than commercial/govt. (I would think indoor would be less that irrigation; and/or the same as outdoor). Thus, the staff will be meeting with me and others on Monday, March 9, 2015 at 10:30am to go over the numbers again now that I have had time to look at them. If you would like to join me, please let me know.

Item 8: Board Meeting Schedule, pdf Page 75: As a result of a Board Team Building Meeting on February 23 (Minutes on Page 35) , it was decided by the Board to try out adding an additional monthly meeting (General Committee Meeting) to provide an opportunity for the board and public to receive information, and engage in discussion related to more complex information, programs, projects and policies (like Item 10 from the February 18th meeting). This additional meeting is long overdue and will be a great addition for better governance and public transparency.  

Information Item, pdf Page 112: Fiscal Year 2015-16 Budget and Water Rate Calendar (See below): We are not increasing water rates till January 1st, a time when the rates go up to us by SDCWA (a recommendation by the consultant & I have been saying all along!) I would like to see us adjust the proposed timing of the final approval of rates until we have the end of the year numbers after June 30, 2015.  

April 15: Board Meeting- FY 2015-16 Guidelines and Calendar
May 13th (Evening): Board Workshop – FY 2015-16 Five Year Projection Workshop
June 2nd (9am-1pm) Preliminary Budget Workshop
June 17 Draft Water Rates & Multi Year Prop 218 Notice
July 1, Board Meeting - Water Rates and Multi-Year Prop 218 Notice for Approval
July 15, Issue Prop 218 Notice
August 13, Distribute to Board – Final FY 2015-16 Budget
September 2, Board Meeting Water Rates Hearing for Multi-Year Water Rates Approval
November 1, Bill Print Message – A water bill dated Jan. 1, 2016 is for water used during November and December
January 1, Proposed Water Rates Effective on Billings as of January 1, 2016  

As always, I welcome your comments and feedback.