LAKEPORT >> Multiple water related budgets were discussed and changes adopted during the mid-year budget review, which was held by the Lake County Board of Supervisors earlier this week.
The Lake County Special Districts budget had a balance carry-over approximately $16,500 less than expected in September, when the final budget was approved.
A reserve cancellation will be used to cover the reduction, as well as increase appropriations for one-time stipends. In addition, the reduction will be rolled into a California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) buy-down, as well as ongoing public outreach and communication programs for water conservation and sewer management, according to Lake County Administrative Officer Matt Perry.
The buy-down is a one-time additional contribution to CalPERS to reduce unfunded liability. “It would reduce our rates a little bit … and by contributing $500,000 of general fund money, we can leverage that to a total contribution to $1.4 million,” Perry said. The buy-down would result in approximately $67,000 in saving to the general fund each year for the next several years, Perry asserted.
Budgets for the Mount Hannah, Paradise Valley and Spring Valley water systems each received drought grant money from the California Department of Water Resources. The grant money is provided on a reimbursement basis, meaning an interim loan for each budget is provided. Interim loans total $200,000 for each budget.
The Spring Valley Water System budget also received $80,000 from a Federal Highway grant for three bridges.
As for the North Lakeport Water System budget, a balance carry-over exceeded expectations by nearly $8,000. All of the additional money will be used to increase capital improvement reserves.
Adjustments to the Kelseyville Waterworks budget included cancelling sewer replacement reserves, totally $4,000 and appropriating $1,000 for an unanticipated increase in annual permit fees to the Water Resources Control Board. Additionally, $3,000 will be appropriated for the purchase of a trench shoring system kit.
No adjustments were needed for the Twin Lakes, Finley, Bonanza Springs, Kono Tayee, Starview or Soda Bay water system budgets.
Each budget was approved when the supervisors unanimously approved the mid-year budget as read with a 5-0 vote.
Contact J. W. Burch, IV at 900-2022.
