Pay Increase Considered For San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency Board

SAN GORGONIO PASS AREA, CA — A public hearing is set for Monday to consider whether San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency's seven board members should be compensated for more days than they are now.

According to agency documents, board members currently receive per diem compensation in the amount of $282.21 for attendance at board meetings and for each day of service as a board member. The meetings and service days are capped at five per month, which totals $1,411.05 — the maximum monthly stipend a board member can receive. Board members can, however, expense items such as mileage if they provide receipts.

The board will consider Monday whether to increase that monthly cap from five days to 10 days. An approval could see a board member double his monthly stipend from $1,411.05 to $2,822.10. The total cost to ratepayers could exceed $118,000 annually.

Ten is the maximum number of days a board member can be reimbursed under the state's Water Code, according to the agency.

Board members are not required to take the per diem, agency documents show.

During the public hearing, the board will further define what constitutes a service day, according to the agenda.

Justification for the stipend increase is outlined in agency documents.

"Board members are regularly called upon to spend in excess of five days per month in the performance of their duties, including attendance of Board meetings, committee meetings, workshops and other functions related to carrying out the business of the Agency," the documents state. "The duties of Board members involve increasing responsibility and obligations and it is reasonable that they be compensated for their time, to the extent permitted by statute, in carrying out the business of the Agency."

Agency officials also contend the limited number of days restricts the number of monthly meetings that can take place.

The upcoming public hearing will be part of Monday's regularly scheduled 1:30 p.m. board meeting. See the full meeting agenda here. The meeting is virtual. Members of the public can listen and provide comment by calling 669-900-6833 (meeting ID is 817 7335 3899) or via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8177...

The San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency services Banning, Beaumont are surrounding areas.