Report 2015-102 Recommendation 30 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 #30 To: Central Basin Municipal Water District

The district should revise its administrative code by June 2016 to prohibit paying for or reimbursing meals that occur within the local area that involve meetings either between only district representatives or between district representatives and the district's contractors.

6-Month Agency Response

Staff presented this item to the Administration & Ethics Committee in February 2016 for discussion and direction from the Committee. The Committee requested that staff provide examples of what types of meal reimbursements would qualify for reimbursement and which ones would not. The Committee requested that this item be brought back in March for review and consideration. Staff brought this item back in March for consideration by the Administration & Ethics Committee. The Committee approved staff recommendation and recommended approval at the March 28, 2016 Board meeting.

The Board approved and adopted revisions to the Administrative Code on March 28, 2016 to prohibit paying for or reimbursing meals that occur within the local area that involve meetings either between only district representatives, with the following exceptions to this rule: 1) there is a business necessity to conduct the meeting during the breakfast, lunch or dinner hours; 2) when 2 or more district representatives are traveling for a conference and one receipt includes the cost for all District representatives; and 3) meals provided to staff during working hours that require attendance, which may include staff meetings and mandated trainings. The revisions also included to prohibit paying for or reimbursing meals between district representatives and the district's contractors.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: Fully Implemented

60-Day Agency Response

Staff will be bringing this item to the Administration & Ethics Committee in February 2016 for discussion and direction. Upon direction, staff will draft language to be included in the Administrative Code and will present to the Board of Directors in March 2016 for consideration and adoption.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: Pending

All Recommendations in 2015-102

Agency responses received are posted verbatim.