Pine Cove Water District’s Board of Directors met on September 19, and
heard from their departing Field Foreman, Chris Dumas, who will soon be
the General Manager of Arrowbear Park Water District. Dumas praised
PCWD’s board and staff but exhorted them to work with GM Jeremy Potter
to make salaries competitive with those of other local districts.

Among items on Potter’s GM Report was the purchase of two new Toyota
trucks, a Tundra and a Tacoma. He traded in the district’s little-used
Tahoe SUV, getting $41,000 trade in, and paying $68,000 for the two 2024
trucks. The 2000 Toyota damaged in an accident has been repaired and is
back in service, paid for by the other party’s insurance. The engine for
the 2013 truck that Potter plans to put back in service is expected to
arrive next month or in November.

Fire was on everyone’s mind. The district’s HeloPod, a mobile tank that
can be used to refill firefighting helicopters, is being kept hitched to
a truck and ready to go, and the Dutch Flats pond has been filled with
7,000 gallons from line flushing. Board President Robert Hewitt asked
about training and protective gear for employees that might have to
enter the operational area of an active fire. There is presently no
protocol in place. Hewitt, before moving to the Hill, worked for USFS
and Los Angeles County Fire. He pointed out that a “Red Card” is
required normally for contractors who operate tender trucks during
wildfires. Hewitt said he thought a single day of training would be
enough, but said this would have to be investigated. Potter agreed that
a Standard Operating Procedure should be established before these tools
need to be used. Now they are there if the firefighting agencies request
them. Hewitt noted that incidents get big fast this time of year, and
the HeloPod is a “very desirable” tool because it is mobile.

Hewitt read an item of correspondence from the Special District Risk
Management Authority. The letter praised the district’s “outstanding”
safety record, with no paid worker’s comp claims in the prior year. This
will slightly reduce the PCWD’s Special District fee next year.

The GM’s report also included the resignation of two employees. Richard
Archer, Maintenance Worker II, left last month, and now Field Foreman
Chris Dumas is leaving, having been hired as the GM of Arrowbear Park
County Water District. Potter is reviewing applications on file and will
advertise to fill one position, anticipating a lighter workload once the
meter replacement project is finished.

Dumas addressed to board, speaking of the “honor and privilege” of
serving PCWD, and his “gratitude for the opportunities and experience”
he gained there.

He praised the “support and guidance” of the board, the dedication of
the directors, and the mentorship of Jeremy Potter, Jerry Holdber and
Becky Smith. He also had thanks for the other field workers and office
staff, community and neighbors.

Before finishing, Dumas said that he felt compelled to address the
district’s salaries. He “strongly encouraged” the board to work with
Potter “to establish a competitive salary structure” to attract the
“talent crucial to the district’s sustainability and success.” The
latest figures (2023) from publicpay.ca.gov, show that for all employee
categories IWD’s numbers are the highest of the three local districts,
FVWD is in the middle, and PCWD’s are lowest. According to the website,
the highest paid field worker at PCWD earned about half what IWD’s Chief
Water Operator makes in total compensation, and the GM about 71% of
IWD’s GM.

The Crier also notes that PCWD directors are paid $50 for each meeting,
not $75, as we quoted IWD Board President Charles Schelly in our
coverage of that board’s recent decision to raise their own stipend to
$75. Schelly, asked for comment by text, answered “My mistake.”

The board members called Dumas an excellent employee. Hewitt wished him
luck, saying he hoped Dumas would “still have a town to work in.”
Arrowbear was under evacuation orders due to the Line Fire, and Dumas
later told the Crier that water district employees are camping out
without electricity to keep watch over the infrastructure and keep water
flowing if fire fighters need it. Arrowbear Park district serves about
1,000 users over six square miles. They also manage and fund a local
all-volunteer fire department.

PCWD’s next meeting will be on Wednesday, October 9.