Special Meeting Minutes of December 19, 2008
Chairman Starling called the meeting to order at 6:00pm. A roll call was taken and present were: Chairman Mike Starling, Vice Chairman Joseph Burrow, Secretary/Treasurer Mike Williamsen, District Secretary Karen Dunn, Trustees Wally Earll, Tammy Davis, Steve Williams, and Jenny Jaros. Absent were Water Supply Operator Ron Lada and Trustee Debbie Wheetley.
No visitors were in attendance.
The primary subject of this Special Meeting was to readdress the proposed Budget and Rate Increase for 2009. Chairman Starling opened by turning the meeting over to Secretary/Treasurer Williamsen who began by addressing the major issued resulting in the recommended increase. He noted that the 2.5% annual increase in the years past has not been substantial in covering the cost increases to District expenses. He explained that income has been lower and other expenses are increasing, such as repairs and maintenance which have been rising at a rate of approximately $4,500 year. He noted that though salary/wages were not extravagant, overtime was high related to the prior years water main repairs.
After readdressing four major line items begin short in the budget, Mr. Williamsen recommended a 15% increase which would result in income of approximately $246,000. In reviewing each line item, he noted that some were not based on actuals due to extreme breaks and repair expenses in 2008.
Conversation continued related to line replacement and grant research. It was recommended that Mr. Praveen Sunny, Asaturian Eaton and Associates, attend the next meeting of the Board scheduled for January 13, 2008, to further discuss the topic.
Further discussion continued related to the decision at the December 9, 2008, meeting of the Board of Trustees to eliminate chair fees for Board Members. Chairman Starling noted he felt it may have been a spontaneous decision which may not have been in the best interest of the District or its members of the Board. Vice Chairman Burrow agreed; he noted that in the past, chair fees were a much needed incentive to insure Board participation. Chairman Starling recommends the topic related to Board Member compensation be readdressed at the next meeting of the Board scheduled for January 13, 2009.
After review of the proposed 2009 Budget was completed, a motion was made by Mrs. Davis to accept the Budget and rate increase therein for 2009. Seconded by Vice Chairman Burrow and with 5 yes and 0 no votes, the Budget and Rate Increase were approved.
The final issue addressed was the letter to District customers announcing the new rate schedule for 2009. Verbiage was discussed, modified, and agreed to by all Board Members. A motion was made by Mrs. Davis to accept and distribute to all District customers the rate increase letter with the modified verbiage as discussed. Seconded by Vice Chairman Burrow and with 5 yes and 0 no votes, the motion carried.
There being no further business, a motion was made by Mrs. Davis to adjourn, a voice count was taken and with 5 yes and 0 no votes, the meeting adjourned.