The Pine Cove Water District (PCWD) held a board meeting June 10. The board passed the FY 2020/21 budget, adopted Resolution #551 implementing a rebate program providing “incentive rebates for water conservation, for district customers, as set forth in ordinance #8, effective July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021.” Resolution #551 is a photo accompanying the story. 

The budget, which passed unanimously with all five board members present, includes a total income of $1,117,000: Property taxes ($160,000), interest ($3,000), current services ($660,000), special assessments ($26,000), leased premises ($225,000), meter sales ($18,000), miscellaneous fees ($10,000) and other income of ($15,000). 

The expenses ($1,067,000) includes $300,000 for services and supplies plus $600,000 for salaries and benefits, $100,000 for improvements and $67,000 for equipment, loans and liabilities. The district is allocating $50,000 to reserves bringing the total to $1,117,000. 

The district is expecting the FEMA reimbursement toward the end of the month in the amount of $95,660.28, according to General Manager Jerry Holldber, which will be going to the general fund as part of the reserves. Holldber anticipates $425,000 to be in the reserves not including the FEMA reimbursement if not by the end of this fiscal year, by the end of next fiscal year. 

The board gave direction for the purchase of a new vehicle for Holldber not to exceed $48,435 including tax. The amount is based on pricing Holldber received on a Chevrolet Tahoe. The board encouraged Holldber to look at vehicles being sold off by vehicle rental companies such as Hertz. The vehicle will not be financed but will be paid for with cash from the district’s reserve fund. Holldber’s current truck, according to him during the meeting, has accumulated more than 138,000 miles over the last 20 years. The district will keep the truck for field staff to drive. 

When asked by a board member if Holldber thought the lifetime of a Toyota was longer than a Chevy Holldber stated, “I don’t prefer those — the SUV in that. You know, you go to Ford and those are even more expensive … The little Toyota trucks, I agree with you on.” 

The transportation and travel expenses that the newspaper previously reported as being significantly higher than neighboring district Fern Valley includes diesel fuel for its heavy equipment. 

The district’s next board meeting is set for 10 a.m. on Aug. 12 at the district’s office.