Why was Patch not hired to replace John Shields?
Patch did not fill out an application for the posted job opportunity
Patch quit his part time position with the District without notice
Why was Dave Dasher appointed to fill the empty seat on the Board?
Dave has over fifteen years of experience on our Board and brings vast knowledge about the District and the operations. He will be a tremendous asset to the Board during this transition period.
He resigned after a conflict with work and that does not currently affect his appointment.
The By-Laws state that the Board shall appoint a replacement to an empty seat for the remainder of the term of the Board member.
That seat comes up for an election in 2017
Why does a non certified water treatment applicant qualify for the management job?
The Department of Environmental Quality has provisions for water treatment transitions. In this case, John Shields will continue to have authority over our water quality until Mike receives his certificate. Mike will also be in a special certification program designed for these transitions and will be certified upon completion of the required hours and testing.
The certification is only one part of managing the District. Mike brings many years of experience dealing with the public, vendors and regulatory agencies. He has many characteristics that the District needs in order to operate smoothly.
Why didn’t we know about these meetings?
The Board holds regularly scheduled monthly meetings the fourth Wednesday of each month at 7PM at KCFR fire station #6 at 7739 Sunnyside. To avoid holidays, the November and December meetings are held the third Wednesday.
Why don’t you, the Board, use the internet better?
As volunteers, we try to cover the many needs of the District. Many more pressing matters have taken large amounts of time, without pay. The Board will do its best to get a web or blog page with all pertinent information needed as soon as possible (as many know, this is a very time consuming process). In the mean time, the Board has collected email address and will use this for mass mailings.
Why can’t I get copies of the Board meetings?
As mentioned in the meeting, we know this is a requirement but have not before a few months ago, received such request. We did not have a policy in place. We are researching the ability to provide hard and electronic copies for the public. We plan on using our web page and emails for this purpose and will establish a cost for providing hard copies.
Who is on the Board?
The Board is made up of five tax paying members of the KCWD#1.
Bill Welsh, President Dave Dasher, Vice President
Diana Fost, Treasurer Loretta Zabka, Secretary Jeff Barber, Director at large
Why was an inexperienced person hired as Manager over a person with experience and certifications?
The manager’s position involves much more that being certified at the beginning. DEQ has Mike in their program and he is working towards earning his certification. Mike has many years of experience which will assist him with this job.
Why is the new Manager being paid more than a qualified, certified part timer?
The amount of pay for employees is confidential.
When will Bonanza Ranch issues be addressed?
DEQ is aware of our plan, established with our Engineer, to replace the infrastructure in Bonanza Ranch
Is there a long-term maintenance schedule?
Yes, our employees follow manufacture schedules on equipment. The Manager has scheduled parts replacement on the infrastructure.
What has been done to fix the most recent low-storage, low-pressure problem?
Mike followed John’s instructions on how to clean the filter properly and we now exceed water demand by a large margin. High temperature days have caused the use of more treated water than the District has ever had to process.
When and how will tonight’s questions be answered?
You are reading the response
How was Patch’s situation handled?
Patch did not apply for the Managers job after two and half years of having the opportunity work for and earn this position.
Who is the Board’s boss?
The Board answers to the Districts customers and the regulatory agencies
Who owns the water district?
Like most government agencies, the taxpayers have paid for the infrastructure and equipment
How do I obtain copies of budgets, minutes and financial reports?
District reports will be published first on the bulletin board at the pump house, and then on our web page (a process being worked upon), and through emails submitted.
Does the District have sufficient back-up to replace expensive pumps?
At the moment, yes there are funds available for new pumps. Like many households and business, these funds may need to be used in another area.
Is it legal to use someone else’s certifications while a new person works to earn their own?
Yes, DEQ has approved of Mike for his new position. Also, the District is under the certificate that John has earned, as approved by the DEQ. There is also a list of local certificate holders which can be used by the District, approved by the DEQ, in the event that both John and Mike are not available.
How can patrons find out about elections, bond issues, Board vacancies, hiring opportunities, etc.?
These will be published in our invoices, bulletin board, email and on our Blog and or web page.
What other communication methods are available besides the newspaper?
As noted: email, bulletin board, and soon to be available web and or Blog page.
How will the current (and future) Board vacancy be filled?
Districts By-Laws instruct the board to appoint individuals for vacancies. When a chair has served six years, the position is either filled by acceptance of the current board individual, or an election is held.
Can meter readings be added to bi-monthly water bills?
Our Treasure is checking to see if our software can be modified for this function. The Board agrees that this is a good idea.
Can District use open space on bills to communicate with patrons?
There is already a comment section on our invoices and it’s used often.
When is annual budget created, published, reviewed, amended and adopted?
The Board creates a draft proposal of the next year’s annual budget at their July meeting. The budget is published twice in the CdA Press in early August. At their August meeting, the Board considers revisions to the budget. If there are no changes, the Board formally adopts the budget then and there. If changes are necessary, then the Board publishes the revised budget (again in the CdA Press) in early September and adopts it at their regularly scheduled meeting later that month.
What will fee structure be whenever public records are requested?
The Board is working on a fee structure for printed copies. As mentioned, we will publish as much as we can via email and our web/blog page
Does the District currently need part time help?
The District will continue to use part time help as needed. Interested parties may fill out an application and be on file for calls
Since not everyone reads the Press and not everyone has access to the Internet, how can everyone be contacted?
Subject addressed above
Thank you for the opportunity to serve and answer your concerns,
Bill Welsh, President KCWD#1
