El Dorado County Grand Jury
• 2016-2017
Georgetown Divide Public Utility District Positive Changes and Continuing Challenges
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 8 findings
F1
The District water rates are insufficient to support current operations and infrastructure and maintenance.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
Once the water rate study is submitted to the Board, the District must initiate a voter-approved rate increase process as soon as possible.
F2
Total revenues are not adequate to support operations and fund needed capital improvement reserves.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
Once the water rate study is submitted to the Board, the District must initiate a voter-approved rate increase process as soon as possible.
F3
The District loses significant revenue due to outdated water meters.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
Along with replacing the aging water meters, the District must upgrade their aging infrastructure and prioritize maintenance and capital improvement projects.
F4
The District also loses water and revenue due to leaks in the aging infrastructure.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
Along with replacing the aging water meters, the District must upgrade their aging infrastructure and prioritize maintenance and capital improvement projects.
F5
Employee compensation is too low for an agency this size, making recruitment and retention difficult.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
The District must offer competitive salaries to attract qualified professional staff.
F6
The current staffing levels are insufficient, which impairs the District’s ability to operate efficiently.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
The District must review staffing levels and fill key positions with permanent staff to ensure continuity of operations.
F7
The District cannot depend on new hookups and ratepayers to supplement revenues as population growth has slowed on the Divide, necessitating the need for the District to look internally for revenue.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
Once the water rate study is submitted to the Board, the District must initiate a voter-approved rate increase process as soon as possible.
F8
The Jury found no evidence that either the District Board or staff is “preparing the ground” with their customers for what may be steep increases in their bills.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
The District must undertake a public information program to inform its customers of impending changes in their water rates and consumption recording.
Conclusions 1
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CL1 Page 7The Georgetown Divide Public Utility District faces challenges arising from the intertwined issues of an aging infrastructure, inadequate revenues, over-worked staff and a lack of leadership. District Board members elected in 2014 and 2016 have taken steps to address these issues and have made real progress on the ALT plant project and the aging water meters. The District is to be commended for finally addressing these issues. Further significant progress is required to maintain services and water quality in the coming years. Effective, consistent leadership and increasing revenues are the keys to continuing positive change. Current employees are to be commended for continuing to provide safe water to their customers.
No Responses Found 1
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Georgetown Divide Public Utility District
Special District