Board of Directors Meeting

Here's a Quick Rundown of What Happened at the February Meeting

 

Resolution Adopted: Water Availability Charges for Improvement of District No. 1

•  Annual small charge on customer property tax bills imposed on every parcel in Rainbow Water's service boundary. 
• No recommended change was made to the annual amount assessed.
• The revenues from the property tax bill brings in $500,000 per year and helps cover a portion of fixed costs.

Resolution Adopted: Execution of the Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement for the Establishment of the Bonsall Unified School District-Rainbow Municipal Water District Joint Powers Financing Authority

• New partnership with the Bonsall Unified School District to issue bonds or create Community Facilities Districts (CFD's) to help fund facilities and infrastructure for both agencies.

Authorized: General Manager to Enter into a Mutual Aid Agreement Between Rainbow Municipal Water District and Rancho California Water District

• Mutual aid agreement benefits both agencies via staffing, equipment, safety training, and supplies in emergency situations.

Board Approved: Replacement of the District’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Platform and Development of a Scope of Work for Procurement for Inclusion in the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget 

• Existing financial, billing and EAM Systems have met the end of their useful lifecycle, and replacing the software will save money and gain efficiencies for staff and customers. 
• Two preferred softwares are being considered, after careful evaluation of numerous options.

Approval: Fiscal Year 2025-26 Mid-year Operating and Capital Budget Review and Adjustments 

• Reported water sales, purchases and operating budgets are on target. 
• Adjustment to the Capital Improvement Project budget is required to cover costs of the Line NN repair.

Approval: New Engineering and IT Modular Building

• New modular will be purchased to replace the engineering and electrical complex, which will provide work areas for Engineering and Information Technology staff.
• The complex will include 8 office spaces, additional restrooms and a conference room. 
• Gets us one step closer to free up space in the warehouse and establish an onsite gym.

Adopted Ordinance: Amended Administrative Code Section 8.11.040, Water Capacity Charge and Reduction in Meter Size 

• These amendments to policy came about as a result of numerous requests for variances or meter downsizing.
• The approved policy establishes options for agriculture users, enabling these customers to downsize their meter, and establishing that the District can install AMI Meters, monitor flow, and install flow restrictors in instances where flows are being exceeded.
• If upsizing the meter is needed in the future, there is no penalty to the agricultural user.
• Staff is also working on a non-rate funded low income assistance program.

Adopted Ordinance: Amended Administrative Code Section 2.06.010.02 -Committees and Adoption of a Resolution Approving Authorized Committees to Utilize Teleconferencing Provisions as Eligible Subsidiary Bodies Under the Brown Act

• Policy amendments included the requirement for two members of standing committees to be in attendance in order to conduct the meetings, and remote attendance via provisions of the Brown Act and SB707 is an option only for the Engineering and Operations, and Communications and Customer Service Committees. 
• Different rules apply for the Budget and Finance Committee, as this committee has more influence on the handling of revenues and financial decisions.
• Two committee members may attend remotely within the boundaries of the District's service area.

Alternative Energy Investigation Update

• The District is looking into opportunities to generate power, obtain grants, realize operational efficiencies and create future revenue stream. 
• The Board will consider approval of a conract for these services in March.

 

Next Board Meeting: Tues, March 24 at 1:00 p.m.