COSTA MESA : Water District Customers Want Budget Tapped for Savings

Customers of the Mesa Consolidated Water District told the agency’s directors this week that they should cut the fat out of their administrative budget before they consider jacking up water rates.

“The ratepayers continue to pay for new computer equipment to increase productivity,” customer Ed Guilmette told the directors.

“Yet staff levels remain virtually the same,” he said, “and most department budgets still manage to increase over the years.”

At a public hearing Thursday on a proposed rate increase, residents also raised the issue of the cost to the district of settling allegations of sexual harassment. The agency recently resolved two incidents in which two district employees alleged that they were harassed while on the job; each woman was paid $85,000.

The settlements were paid by the agency’s insurance company, leading one resident to question at the meeting whether the incidents will cause the district’s insurance rates to go up.

Heather Somers, president of the Eastside Homeowners Assn., said her research indicates that the district’s premiums will go up by 16%.

But district General Manager Karl Kemp said he has not been made aware of any changes in the district’s insurance coverage, which is through a joint-powers authority.

In response to the comments at the public hearing, the board said it will look into more ways to cut administrative expenses.

Director Henry Panian suggested that the board itself set an example for the rest of the district by cutting expenses such as travel.

“I don’t think we need to go to a conference to learn how to serve our community,” he said.