Report 2015-102 Recommendation 1 Responses
Report 2015-102: Central Basin Municipal Water District: Its Board of Directors Has Failed to Provide the Leadership Necessary for It to Effectively Fulfill Its Responsibilities (Release Date: December 2015)
Recommendation #1 To: Central Basin Municipal Water District
To ensure the stability of the district's operations, by June 2016 the district's board should establish a formal policy for hiring for the general manager position. Because the current general manager is on a contract set to expire in May 2017, the board should initiate the hiring process for a new general manager or begin the process of renegotiating the contract with the current general manager in the fall of 2016.
1-Year Agency Response
On February 26, 2016, the Board formally adopted a hiring and compensation policy for the General Manager. The policy includes: 1) the minimum qualifications required for the General Manager; 2) the creation of an Ad Hoc that includes two Board members and external water industry professionals; and 3) an outline of the appropriate steps for a competitive and equitable process. The policy ensures that a competitive and fair process be undertaken to attract and recruit qualified applicants to the position.
The review period for the current General Manager's contract was initially agendized for the May 23, 2016 Regular Board Meeting. Due to scheduling conflicts, the evaluation was conducted at the July 25, 2016 Regular Board Meeting where the Board agreed to revise the General Manager's employment contract and include a one-year extension. An amendment was approved pursuant to the Brown Act at the August 22, 2016 Regular Board Meeting which extends the employment contract through May 10, 2018.
- Completion Date: September 2016
- Response Date: August 2016
California State Auditor's Assessment of 1-Year Status: Fully Implemented
6-Month Agency Response
On February 26, 2016, the Board formally adopted a hiring and compensation policy for the General Manager. The policy includes: 1) the minimum qualifications required for the General Manager; 2) the creation of an Ad Hoc that includes two Board members and external water industry professionals; and 3) an outline of the appropriate steps for a competitive and equitable process. The policy ensures that a competitive and fair process be undertaken to attract and recruit qualified applicants to the position.
The review period for the current General Manager's contract was agendized for the May 23, 2016 Regular Board Meeting and rescheduled to the June 1, 2016 Special Board Meeting. Due to scheduling conflicts, the General Manager's review will be rescheduled to the June 27, 2016 Regular Board meeting during which time new terms will be considered.
- Completion Date: March 2016
- Response Date: June 2016
California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: Partially Implemented
As the district notes, the board adopted a new policy describing a process for hiring the general manager. Further, the district indicated it will begin a review of the current general manager's contract in June 2016 and will consider new terms. Until the district initiates that process, we consider this recommendation partially implemented.
- Auditee did not address all aspects of the recommendation
60-Day Agency Response
A hiring policy for the General Manager will be presented to the Board of Directors in February 2016. The review period for the current General Manager's contract will begin in May 2016 and new terms will be addressed and considered at that time.
- Estimated Completion Date: March 2016
- Response Date: January 2016
California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: Pending
All Recommendations in 2015-102
Agency responses received are posted verbatim.