At its June 17 meeting, the board of the Fern Valley Water District passed several resolutions. These included adopting the fiscal year 2016-17 budget, establishing an appropriations limit and authorizing a change in signatures for the bank account.
The latter really addressed the significance of the meeting. This was General Manager Steve Erler’s final board meeting. He retires as of June 30 and Victor Jimenez is the new general manager.
Before the meeting adjourned, the directors took turns complimenting Erler’s career and wishing him well in the future.
“Steve is one of the few people who works as hard at his job as anything else,” said President Jim Rees. “He is one honest and hard-working guy. I’m extremely jealous he’s retiring earlier than me.”
“I’m sad Steve is leaving, but happy Victor is here,” added Director Robert Krieger. “We have a smooth transition worked out for the district.”
In water business, Erler reported well production is less than 10 percent of total production and less this spring than in 2015. Strawberry and Tahquitz creeks had a better flow this year, allowing the district to withdraw more surface water.
Over the past month, well levels have shown minor increases and some decreases, according to Erler. But well levels are higher than one year ago, he added.