Fern Valley Water District (FVWD) Director Jim Gates verbally resigned from the board Tuesday, June 15 but submitted a letter of resignation June 27. He resigned for personal reasons. The district is still waiting to find out from the county how this will impact the August elections and what steps will need to be taken. Gates was up for election but resigned after the filing period.
The board passed its FY 2021/22 budget, approved the asphalt bid for the pipeline replacement project, discussed a proposal for general counsel services for Idyllwild Water District with Best, Best & Krieger (FVWD’s legal counsel) and received an election update.
FY 2021/22 budget
The budget will put the reserves at over $1 million, income (water sales and installation: $950,000, interest on reserves: $6,000, tax income: $750,000 and SM assessment charge: $22,550) at $1,728,550 and expenses (operating: $1,081,929, capital: $67,600, RECDS debt service: $19,600) at $1,169,129. The final emergency pipeline replacement project payments are coming out of the reserves. The final budget is included with the story.
DOCUMENTS COURTESY OF THE FERN VALLEY WATER DISTRICT
Asphalt work
The asphalt work for the emergency pipeline replacement project will cost the district $136,800 for a complete grind and overlay. El-Co Contractors, Inc. will be performing the work. General Manager Victor Jimenez told the board that was the best option due to the road damage from the water leak. The $108,000 for the grind and overlay of the entire project area was budgeted but another $28,800 will be coming “from the reserves to perform a complete overlay.”
Legal counsel
IWD is evaluating its legal counsel and contacted Best, Best & Krieger for a proposal. Since the firm already represents FVWD, it contacted FVWD regarding the request from IWD. The firm submitted a proposal but outlined that in the event of a conflict between the two districts, Best, Best & Krieger would represent FVWD. A different team than the one assigned to FVWD, should IWD choose Best, Best & Krieger, has been assigned to IWD.
Election update
The district did not receive any additional candidates to run for the board of directors’ seats than needed. Directors Walter Bonneau, Robert Krieger and Gary Erb will continue on as board members for an entire four-year term beginning December. No elections will be necessary as far as the district knows at this time.
