The Dec. 20, Idyllwild Water District (IWD) board meeting was canceled as there was no quorum. With a handful of members of the public present, President Charles Schelly and Chief Financial Officer Hosny Shouman agreed to answer general informational questions.

Schelly confirmed that only one of the two candidates for the empty seat on the board, Mitch Davis, submitted timely paperwork to the county, and so Davis will be installed at the March meeting. Schelly recited the travails that have left the seat empty for what will be a year in March. Supervisor V. Manuel Perez’s Communications Director Darin Schlemmer confirmed the story as this reporter understood it:

When there is a resignation, the board may appoint a director to serve the remainder of the term. The board has 60 days to do this. In our case, the board was deadlocked 2-2 between two candidates. After that point, the board of supervisors also has 60 days to appoint a director, but they also, faced with a choice between candidates, did not act within that time. The decision is then to be made by the voters at the next election, November or March. In an election with two or more candidates on the ballot, the registrar of voters will certify the results and send the winner a certificate. If there is only one qualified candidate, the new director’s certificate will state that they are certified “in lieu of” election. This is expected to happen for IWD in March. In November of 2024, the seats of three directors, Steve Kunkle, Peter Szabadi and Schelly, will stand for election.

Schelly and Shouman also answered a few questions about the new public restrooms in Mile High Plaza, on property the county leased from Shane Stewart for $1 a year. The restrooms are on a separate meter for electricity, water and sewage, and the county pays these bills. The sewage is being charged as two equivalent dwelling units.

The Crier also attempted to shed some light on one of IWD’s little mysteries: Their electric bills from SCE come not monthly but at irregular intervals, several months at a time. This produces strange peaks and valleys in the graphs Shouman produces to document expenses. Directors have asked about this and Shouman and General Manager Leo Havener have said they were unable to get an answer from SCE as to why this happens.

The Crier exchanged emails with SCE Public Information Officer Reggie Kumar and received this answer. “Due to customer privacy reasons, we are unable to provide specific billing information, but we are in contact with the customer.”

The board will meet next at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17.