Sacramento County Grand Jury
• 2009-2010
• Agency Response
Rio Linda/Elverta Community Water District a Saga of Mismanagement and Water Problems Foreword
⚠️ 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
Page 11
0 The Rio Linda/Elverta CommunityWater District (RLECWD) does not have adequate, reliable sources of water supply to meet requirements of its existing customers based on accepted standards of service and requirements of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Water SupplyPermit.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
Page 11
1 The RLECWD should give immediate priorityto negotiating and implementing additional emergencyand peak demand water supplies from its neighboring water utilities.
F2
Page 11
0 The defective RLECWDwater system poses significant risks to public health and safety. The District must make a series of improvements to mitigate these risks.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
Page 11
1 The RLECWD must institute and maintain a backflow prevention program meeting all requirements ofCDPH.
F3
Page 11
0 The RLECWD does not have a complete inventoryof all equipment and assets owned by the District.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
Page 11
1 The RLECWD should immediatelyconduct an inventoryto account for all equipment and assets. 53
F4
Page 12
0 The RLECWD has been torn byfactionalism for years. Contentious behaviors bythe board of directors, general managers, employees, employee unions, concerned citizens and ratepayers have led to a dysfunctional organization. Self interest has prevailed over qualitypublic service.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
Page 12
1 The board of directors and staff at the RLECWD should be trained in professional management and conduct, ethics, and respect for others.
F5
Page 12
0 The board of directors has wasted the District’s assets. The board of directors and general managers have spent funds on unsound purchases, investments, and legal expenses arising from inappropriate or ill-advised actions.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
Page 12
1 The board should retain and take the counsel of professional experts in accounting, law, human resources, water utilitymanagement, engineering and utilityrate analysis.
F6
Page 12
0 The board of directors is dysfunctional and misguided. Directors have often ignored recommendations of the general managers and experts on financing and implementation of capital improvementsto the detriment of the District. The board has interfered with the day-to-dayoperations of the RLECWD.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
Page 12
1 The board of directors should adhere to its own internal policies and stop micromanaging the daily operations of the water district.
F7
Page 12
0 On numerous occasions board members have violated the Brown Act and their own regulations regarding public meetings.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7
Page 12
1 The board of directors should regularly seek and follow legal advice concerning their obligations under existing meeting laws and regulations.
F8
Page 12
0 Without major changes in governance, management, and resource utilization the RLECWD is unable to satisfactorilycorrect its problems and provide high qualitywater utilityservices to its present service area and the remainder of the district area.
Related Recommendations (1)
R8
Page 12
1 One solution to these problems is a reorganization of the District. All affected public agencies (CDPH, SacLAFCo, Sacramento CountyBoard of Supervisors, Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District, Sacramento County Department of Health and Human Services, and Rio Linda-Elverta Chamber of 54 Commerce) and interest groups should formally urge the RLECWD Directors to declare their intent to reorganize the District.