Department of Water Resources
A daily compilation of significant news articles and comment
April 16, 2008
5. Agencies, Programs, People -
Editorial: Entrenched water board needs term limits
For too long, the Santa Clara Valley Water District has operated with little public scrutiny despite its huge budget and critical mission. A proposal to change the way board members are elected could improve accountability, but the bill up for a vote today in a state Assembly committee has a fatal flaw: It doesn't include term limits.
Until it does, it should not pass.
If ever a group needed term limits, it's the water board. The agency that supplies water to 1.8 million county residents has a history of lavish spending and weak governance. The longest-serving member on the board has been there 28 years. That's right, 28 years. Two others have served 22 and 15 years.
Term limits are not always wise. Elected officials need time to develop expertise on complex issues, and water is certainly one of them. But it's hard to argue the longevity on this board is healthy. A three-term limit of 12 years, like the county supervisors, would give members time to learn and become effective.
The water district gained independence from the county several years ago. It now has five elected members and two appointed, but the appointed members will be dropped in 2010. Under the bill carried by Assemblyman Ira Ruskin, D-
So far, so good. But redistricting alone isn't enough.
The water district has an annual budget of $312 million. It supplies water wholesale to distributors, provides flood control and protects the watershed with enlightened environmental policies. But it has never had good watchdogs.
A grand jury several years ago shone a spotlight on its spending. It reported that staff grew from 541 in 1994 to 789 in 2005, while salary costs doubled between 2000 and 2006, going from $49 million to $99 million.
The board failed to adequately oversee former general manager Stan Williams. He retired in January under a cloud after he'd hired a board member to a $184,000-a-year staff position without telling the rest of the board or seeking outside applications.
These are the kinds of things that happen when a board becomes entrenched. The magnitude of the spending and responsibility of this agency demands better - and fresher - oversight.#
http://origin.mercurynews.com/opinion/ci_8942054?nclick_check=1
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