Watermaster district budget released

By Daniel Webster

Pioneer Press

Fort Jones , CA

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

page W1, column 3

pioneerp@sisqtel.net

SCOTT AND SHASTA VALLEYS - The new watermaster district for the Shasta and Scott valleys made public its proposed draft preliminary budget.

The Watermaster District was formed by the state legislature, but its board has not been chosen.

The Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors will appoint the new board at its February 5 meeting. the board is currently seeking nominations from the public and has asked SOSS to submit a list of those who should be appointed, according to Ernie Wilkinson, SOSS Executive Director.

There are seven positions available: three positions from the Shasta Valley ; two positions from the Scott Valley ; and two positions appointed by the supervisors.

The positions from the Scott and Shasta Valleys must be water right diverters that fall within the District boundaries and are watermastered. The two positions appointed by the board are to be residents of Siskiyou County and not be voters of the District.

Once the new board has been appointed, it can then set out to create an actual budget for the district.

Much of the budget will depend on the proposals it receives when it goes out to bid for the actual watermaster services.

One of the factors brought up recently regarding the new district, was how will it be protected from lawsuits?

The budget accounts for a $6,000 property and liability insurance policy through the Special District Risk Management Authority. An actual quote for such insurance, however, and the details of what will be covered cannot be made until the board is formed for the new district, according to Rhonda Muse, who has worked to help SOSS with the project.

As a special district within Siskiyou County , it will also have access to the use of the County Counsel and District Attorney's offices.

Scott Shasta Watermaster District

DRAFT PRELIMINARY BUDGET
                      Annual Total
Task Category and Description of Cost       Hours   Cost
Verification ($30 per hr) /1
Watermaster Upper Shasta
        Regular Salary  568     $17,040.00
      Liabilities/Benefits/Vac/SL             $5,964.00
       Total by Month          $23,004.00
Watermaster Lower Shasta
      Regular Salary  592     $17,760.00
      Liabilities/Benefits/Vac/SL             $6,216.00
       Total by Month          $23,976.00
Watermaster Scott
     Regular Salary  560     $16,800.00
      Liabilities/Benefits/Vac/SL             $5,880.00
       Total by Month          $22,680.00
Management/Reporting ($40 per hr)/2
   Regular Salary  720     $28,800.00
      Liabilities/Benefits/Vac/SL             $10,080.00
      Total by Month          $38,880.00
Property Splits ($30 per hr) /3
       Regular Salary  144     $4,320.00
       Liabilities/Benefits/Vac/SL             $1,512.00
       Total by Month          $5,832.00
Maintenance of Measuring Structures ($30 per hr) /4
    Regular Salary  192     $5,760.00
       Liabilities/Benefits/Vac/SL             $2,016.00
       Total by Month          $7,776.00
Operating Expense & Equipment /5
       Vehicle Operations * fuel and maintenance               $11,800.00
      Local Office Rent * included in District admin          $0.00
   Storage Shed            $1,800.00
       Equipment/rent, lease, mtc. (including 2 ATV's)         $8,400.00
       Information Technology * included in District admin             $0.00
   Stream gage and Structure Maintenance           $8,400.00
       Vehicle Lease (2 trucks)                $14,400.00
      Field Supplies (batteries, write*in*rain paper, etc.)           $460.00
Total by Month          $45,260.00

SUB*TOTAL             $167,408.00

Reserve (15%) * Unspent balance to be reimbursed to water right holders      $24,176.50
District Administration (10%)         $16,366.92
Board Election ($6 x 425 water right holders)/6               $2,550.00
County's Special Assessment Fee (Total x .0025)                $46.74
Property/Liability Insurance for District ??/7            $6,000.00
PROGRAM TOTAL          $216,548.16

(Permission to post from the publisher.)