First of two Central Basin water district reform bills passes first test

SACRAMENTO – The first of two bills to reform the Central Basin Municipal Water District by adding additional directors to its board was approved Wednesday by the state Senate Goveance and Finance Committee.

Sen. Ricardo Lara’s bill, S.B. 953, would add two seats to the Central Basin board and give the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors the responsibility of appointing the new members.

They must live in the district, have “knowledge of the water industry and familiarity with the role and responsibilities of a municipal district,” and could come from a water utility in the district.

Lara, D-Long Beach, said he introduced his bill in response to the state audit that included 32 recommendations and criticized the board for causing the district to lose its liability insurance coverage, violating state law by improperly approving the establishment of a legal trust fund without adequate public disclosure, engaging in questionable contracting practices by avoiding competitive bidding and inappropriately using amendments to extend and expand contracts.

“S.B. 953 would implement recommendations of the state audit to improve transparency and accountability,” he said.

The bill also bans awarding contracts without competitive bidding, except in an emergency.

SB 953 prohibits CBMWD from providing any member of its board of directors with district funds to conduct community outreach activities.

Central Basin’s board hasn’t taken a position on the bill but so far has implemented 21 of the 32 audit recommendations, said Joe Legaspi, district spokesman.

Several residents of Lara’s district opposed the bill, saying putting non-elected officials on the Central Basin board would take away their right to vote.

“I’m against that,” said Mary Johnson of South Gate. “We fought so hard for the right to vote for people to represent us.”

A second bill, authored by Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia, D-Downey, will be considered later today by the Assembly Local Govement Committee. Garcia’s bill would add three members – elected by water utilities – to the board, while also reducing the elected directors from five to four.

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