Wastewater capacity fees in the La Contenta service area were raised from $15,902 to $21,719 per single-family connection to fund $23.4M in plant improvements. A new developer deposit fee structure was adopted, collecting upfront percentages of infrastructure value for plan review and inspections. The Board also approved its first five-year Capital Improvement Plan covering critical water and wastewater infrastructure projects, with funding gaps in years three through five.
The district successfully managed a major snowstorm with minimal service disruptions, though roughly 19 homes lost water for about a week due to inaccessible main breaks. A compensation study found salaries run 5-6% below market average, while benefits remain competitive — findings that will inform upcoming labor negotiations. The annual audit was accepted with a clean opinion and no material findings, aside from a prior-period adjustment of $431,000.
The Board approved mid-year budget amendments based on projections showing higher revenues and lower expenses, largely due to vacancy-related salary savings. A major water main break on Mustang Road was successfully repaired after 23 hours of work, affecting only 25 homes. The Board directed staff to analyze transferring sewer charges to the property tax roll and to further study options for monthly water billing.
Board approved major infrastructure contracts, backed by substantial state and federal funding, including wastewater treatment upgrades and a consolidation project to address system failures. Community members raised concerns about rising bills ($400–$900 for some) and billing issues, and the GM said rates will be revisited during the upcoming budget process. Residents requested quarterly evening meetings after a strong turnout at 5:30 PM session that signaled demand for accessible meetings.
The Board approved a $5.64 million contract to replace aging water storage tanks in Wallace and Arnold areas, with new tanks offering 50+ year lifespans. Staff outlined ongoing water loss reduction work and said they will bring a comprehensive report in the near future, after data cleanup and staffing constraints are addressed. The district received awards in all three insurance categories for maintaining exceptional safety and loss prevention records.
