PCWD reviews first quarter financials, seeks applicants for open position
The November 13 meeting of the Directors of Pine Cove Water District was brief. Three directors, President Robert Hewitt, Lou Padula and Vicki Jakubac made a quorum.
The first quarter budget review was weighted by large annual expenses: $66 thousand for insurance and over $16 thousand for workers’ comp. Two new trucks were purchased from vehicle reserve funds for a total of $68 thousand, and about $7 thousand was spent outfitting them. Expenses for the first quarter, $374,386, account for 29% of the annual budget, $1,299,000. Total reserves remain at over $577 thousand.
General Manager Jeremy Potter’s Operations Report showed static monitoring well down by just over 3 feet at 67.6 feet. He said he expects it to fall a few feet more before winter begins to bring it back up. October production, 2,765,536, is up slightly over last year but less than 2022, when early storms created leaks.
Potter said that he expects to begin refurbishment next week of the second of two wells near Foster Lake affected by high iron content.
The last group of meter installations have been on hold. The district is short staffed after two field staff resigned last month. Potter noted that he is casting a wide net, advertising statewide as well as locally, and has received applications from a few qualified applicants with operator certifications. They will continue to accept applications until December 1. Potter said that he hopes to get PCWD past the “train them and lose them” situation and is seeking longevity in the next hires.
Potter reported that he and his crew have successfully replaced the engine of the district’s overworked 2013 Tacoma. He said they will tune it up and perform other small repairs before returning it to service, although it will be given lighter tasks.
The GM also told the board that the district underwent a sanitary audit from the State Water Resource Control Board. He said that minor infractions were noted and have since been remedied, and the report will be presented to the board when it is complete.
The next meeting will be Wednesday, December 11.
