In a day that I wasn't in the mood to argue, I sent a list of questions over to Valley County Water. This was information I needed for a water story, in which 11 other districts responded to my requests for interviews and records. When I called Brian Dickinson with my list of additionaI questions, he said that he would need them in writing. No other district made such request. I obliged only because I needed the information and ASAP. I sent Valley County this list on Feb. 15. Three weeks later, I got this:

Valley County Water District
Mariana Lake, David Sano, Jonathan Contreras, Armando Macias,
Margarita Vargas
General Manager, Brian Dickinson: $112,176.
Operating Budget: $ 5,318,301 million
Average annual director travel expenses from July 2005 to July 2007:
N/A
Average annual director meeting payment from July 2005 to July 2007:
N/A
Payment per meeting: $147.74 January 1, 2008> Stipend payment/meeting: 155.13 (reflecting a 5% annual increase)

Additional questions:

When was your most recent fee hike?
2003

Do directors have district issued credit cards?
Yes

What is the district's philosophy on conferences?
Resolution 02-08-657: Section 2-1.503(a)
It is beneficial for Directors, the General Manager and/or Staff to attend conferences, meetings, seminars, workshops and other functions that strengthen their ability to understand issues facing the District and enhance the District’s ability to serve its customers.

How has the district been impacted by the departure of Dolores
Holguin? Has her actions promoted any discussion among the directors?

No comment can be made.

What benefits do the board members receive, i.e. medical, car
allowance, communications allowance?
Section 2-1.503
(c)(i)(2) “The per diem is $125.00 per day for meals and all gratuities. “
(f) “Reimbursable Rate” - The reimbursable mileage rate is equal to what is allowed by the Internal Revenue Service.

2-1.501 COMPENSATION
Each Director shall be paid $155.13 for each day’s attendance at meetings of the Board and committee thereof, and for each day’s service rendered as Director by request of the Board, not exceeding a total 10 days in any calendar month. In addition to the foregoing, commencing January 1, 2000, and on January 1st of each year thereafter, compensation to each Director shall be increased by 5%.

2-1.502 BENEFITS
While serving as current Directors of the District, such Directors are entitled to the following benefits to be paid by the District:
Group health, vision, dental plan and Employee Assistance Program coverage for active Directors and for persons who are deemed to be dependents eligible for such benefits under the terms of such plans;
Life insurance coverage at the benefit level then in effect under the then-applicable Association of California Water Agencies ("ACWA") life insurance plan for active or currently serving district Directors; and
Travel accident insurance for accidental death or disability incurred while on District business. The amount of such coverage will be determined by the Board and will not exceed the level or scope of coverage then available under the then-applicable ACWA life insurance plan for active or currently serving District Directors

What is the policy on directors picking up meal tabs at, for example,
lunch or dinner meetings?
Resolution 02-08-657: Section 2-1.503(c)(i)(2)
Directors and the General Manager are authorized to include District associates in meals that are Reasonable and Necessary. Receipts for such meals must indicate the names of the associates, the affiliation to the District, and the nature of the business conducted. Payment of Meals other than those authorized by this Article requires Board approval prior to authorized function.”

Other than the chart, these above questions are intended for a phone
interview with you, and should not be considered a formal CPRA.

**Because of the delay, this information did not make it into the water district story. What do you guys know about Valley County Water that may be worth a story?