PCWD adopts FY 2021/22 budget and standby assessment fee

The Pine Cove Water District Board of Directors passed the FY 2021/22 budget in a 4-0 vote at its June meeting. Director Rose Venard was absent. Adjustments were made from the proposed budget that was presented at the May meeting.
Directors Venard and Lou Padula, who were absent from the May meeting, met with General Manager Jerry Holldber to discuss the budget between the May and June meetings.
Holldber increased the training budget from $1,000 to $3,000 for the employees.
He decreased the main line replacement from $30,000 to $28,000. Holldber increased the improvement reserves from $200,000 to $275,000, leaving the total reserves at $550,000. The approved budget is included with this story.
Public hearing
The standby assessment fee passed as presented in a 4-0 vote. It is a $30 fee for all unimproved lots.
Operations report
Holldber noted that May water production was less than last year. In May 2020, the district produced 3,479,070 gallons and it produced 2,964,340 gallons this May.
The district did report a 10% water loss, contributing that to a leak. Static well 10 is up a foot and “shows water is still running through the ground at Well 10,” according to Holldber.
District vehicles are all serviced.
Fire abatement at the facilities is ongoing and “spring cleaning of all the facilities continues.” The district started tying over services at Laurel Trail.
Holldber said the district is in Stage 1 water conservation and could go to Stage 2 at any time. The price of water would not change.
Holldber explained Stage 1 is voluntary compliance and that the district emphasizes conservation and offers rebate programs.
Water usage went up due to COVID-19 because people were home. Holldber reported to the board that the wells are still doing well and the district is not going to Stage 2 at this point but that he doesn’t want to wait until the tanks are half full to go into Stage 2. Stage 2 is mandatory compliance.
Next board meeting
Board President Robert Hewitt notified the board a quorum would not be reached to hold a meeting next month. The district’s next Board of Director’s meeting is Aug. 11 and, as of now, will be held via Zoom.