April 20, 2022 - Board Meeting

As a concern I first brought to the Board, the April 2022 meeting included additional consultant/staff presentations and recommendations on OMWD employee pension liabilities, first discussed at the March 2022 Board meeting. After a further presentation by consultant Mario Morales, the Board directed staff to prepare a draft policy setting a funding target that shall not be below 85%, based on the most current CalPERS’ Annual Valuation Report and a funding goal of 100%. Doing so will require significant yearly contributions to CalPERS, but in the long-term, it will save OMWD ratepayers millions of dollars over time and keep the budget stable. Staff will bring a draft of the District’s Pension Funding Policy to the Finance Committee and the Board in May or June.

The Board also reviewed the staff request to add one additional operations employee to OMWD’s employee count. Staff described additional operational burdens at the water treatment plant, and it recommended adding one additional water treatment plant operator. After many Board questions about the necessity of increasing employee count and alternatives, the Board accepted the staff's recommendation in order to maintain treatment plant infrastructure, equipment, and regulatory requirements and address increased maintenance needs.

Finally, the Board reviewed a staff recommendation to hire an engineering consultant after Requests for Proposals were issued. Board members, including myself, expressed concern that staff recommended a consultant providing a higher bid. The board asked staff to return to the next meeting with additional information justifying its recommendation.

You can review past and present Board and committee meeting agendas and background materials online at  https://www.olivenhain.com/about-us/governing-board/board-meetings/. 

Posted on 21 Apr 2022, 08:22 - Category: News