Local legislators reach compromise on Central Basin reform bills

SACRAMENTO >> State Sen.u2009Ricardo Lara and Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia aounced Friday a compromise on their proposed legislation to reform the Centralu2009Basin Municipalu2009Water District.

The compromise will place three non-elected officials from water utilities on the board and eventually reduce the number of elected directors from five to four, said Garcia, D-Downey. The reduction in boardmembers won’t happen until 2022.

“I think the compromise is thoughtful and fair and reaches both of our goals, which is to make sure we have a board that is more transparent and accountable,” Garcia said.

Lara, D-Longu2009Beach, agreed.

“Central Basin ratepayers deserve accountability and transparency from their leaders,” he wrote in an email. “Today, I am proud to join Assemblymember Garcia in advancing our package to enact much needed reforms designed to restore trust among the community and move the district forward.”

Garcia and Lara introduced A.B.u20091794 and S.B.u2009953 in response to the state audit released in Decemberu20092015 that included 32u2009recommendations criticizing 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 contract practices by avoiding competitive bidding; and inappropriately using amendments to extend and expand contracts.

District officials said they have completed nearly all of the recommendations and will be finished by the end of the year.

Garcia and Lara had differed on the makeup of the board. Lara wanted to add two appointed directors and leave the number of elected members at five. Garcia wanted a board made up of four elected officials and three appointed, with the transition to take place after the Novemberu20092018 election.

Mark Grajeda, president of the Centralu2009Basin Municipalu2009Water Association, said he’s happy an agreement was reached.

“The thing I’m most excited about is that they’re working together,” Grajeda said.

Centralu2009Basin Generalu2009Manager Kevin Hunt said he didn’t like the reduction of the number of elected members on the board but otherwise, he’s OK with the proposal.

”I don’t agree with cutting the voting power of citizens,” he said.

Each of the legislators will keep their bills but amend them. Garcia’s bill will include the goveance issues on the make-up of the board.

The state Legislature has until Aug.u200931 to approve both and send to the goveor.

Advertisement