CCWD postpones vote on director pay

Not long after the two incoming members of the Calaveras County Water District take their seats next year, they will be asked how much to pay themselves.

The decision was put into their hands Wednesday when CCWD’s current board ruled in a split vote to postpone a decision until new members are seated.
 

Compensation has long been a contentious issue for the board, with one faction claiming irrelevant meetings are expensed, and the other, currently in the majority, asserting the meetings are vital in keeping members informed.    

Under current district code, directors may request $110 in compensation for each meeting they attend, with a maximum of 10 per month. The budget, at board direction, provides for only seven paid meetings per month for each member, though records indicate the board has consistently been under budget.

“I don’t think we can afford to not be at the table at some of these meetings,” said Phil McCartney, board vice president.

Ignorance will cost the district more in the long run, said Board President Bob Dean, who has been singled out by opponents of the current policy for his attendance.

He is the only member to average more than seven meetings a month over the past half year, according to county records.

“When we’ve had to make cuts and lay people off, the directors need to take responsibility and reduce some of their burden,” said Director Jeff Davidson, who put the reduction on the board agenda.

For the majority to shift, both the incoming directors, Dennis Dooley, of Angels Camp, and Don Stump, of Avery, will have to side with Davidson.

If they listen to Ray Behrbaum, who sits on the boards of the Union Public Utility District and the Utica Power Authority, they may even be tempted to go the other way.

“You guys don’t get compensated enough for what you do,” he told the board during Wednesday’s session.