Letters: Water district needs to reduce number of employees

Dear Editor, During the 2010 rate hearings a nod was given by
the board that it was a bad time to raise rates given the country’s
economic condition.
Water district needs to reduce number of employees

Dear Editor,

During the 2010 rate hearings a nod was given by the board that it was a bad time to raise rates given the country’s economic condition. While Santa Clara County’s March 2011 unemployment is 10.7 percent, Morgan Hill, San Martin and Gilroy weighted average is 14.7 percent. If these three cities were a county we would rank 30th in California. Putting it in perspective, if we lived in 1937 during the Great Depression, the unemployment was 14.3 percent. It was 14.6 percent in 1940. It’s fair to say South County is still experiencing depression level unemployment.

Against the backdrop of unemployment pain and underwater mortgages we now have skyrocketing gas and food prices, the district proposes a rate increase.

So how’s life at the district? Ten years ago (2000-2001) the average salary was $56.8K with 642 budgeted employees. The 2011 budget shows $112K with 771 employees. This is just salary … no benefits. On average it represents 10 consecutive years of 7 percent increases. Do the arithmetic. With benefits included for FY 2011, it now takes $151K to support one average employee; that number was $81K 10 years ago. I challenge anyone to show one instance in a mature organization of such a thing.

In that same period, district retirement contributions increased by a factor of 5.8 to $9.9M today. It didn’t help in the early part of the decade to grant the ‘2.5 percent’ plan (where employees retire with 75 percent after 30 years. Life is good.

It’s not coincidental, given the above, that M&I water rates have more than doubled from $115/acre foot to $275/af we have 10 years later. Sadly, the district is capable of great benefit to the pocketbook of those who are working at the district. This is long past the point of being affordable.

I have a few suggestions or requests:

– In table 4.6.4. of the annual report there is a $66K charge for water treatment and treated water transmission and distribution. It mentions the three water treatment plants in North County. This charge is inappropriate for South County and request it be removed. There are no water treatment plants in this zone.

– One section of the current budget has a section titled debt service repayment schedule. It shows all debt at $611M. It seems appropriate to request that it include the CVP debt. Starting in 2007 it was $440M. That debt was allowed to balloon from about $248K (originally) by 20 years of nonpayment to the CVP. It begs the question if other debt is not reflected.

– I’ve been critical of the total compensation at the district. Don’t shoot the messenger. I only summarize what I see in the budget. I suggest the board make your own determination on compensation affordability, how we got to this point and what might be done.

– I suggest you take a look at returning to the headcount of FY 2000. It was 636. From the 771 headcount of today, and based on the cost of the average total compensation, it would reduce district costs by $20M. The district operated with 636 employees (or fewer than that) for decades.

– I’m requesting you back out all South County perchlorate charges. If you can’t do that, may I suggest at least you understand in detail what the charges really were spent on and benefit to South County.

– I suggest that the district set up a financial advisory group for South County. It could be roughly tailored after the water retailers meeting. I’d like to be a participant.

Terry Mahurin, Morgan Hill

Great trainers, hard work make recovering from surgery easier

Dear Editor,

About a year and a half ago I was told that I required a total replacement of my right knee. I had been a member of Train For Life gym since the day they opened. I knew that I was getting a great work out and that my health was improving all the time. About six months ago I knew that the need for surgery was getting closer for me.

I began talking to the trainers, Margarita and Sondra, for guidance in preparing my body for the surgery. They worked with me in putting together a workout program that was meant to make me and my muscles as strong as possible that were going to have to work hard to support the new knee. With their support and my dedication to being in the best shape possible I was at TFL five mornings a week at 8 a.m. sharp!

My surgery was April 6 and I was home April 8 – two days later! I am now on a physical therapy regime and doing very well. I can get in and out of bed on my own, stroll around the lower level of my house and I soon will learn how to climb the stairs leading to my old and familiar bedroom! It is now a few days later and I have progressed from the walker to a cane. Again, I know that I am this strong because of this amazing strength and training facility and on my part doing what I am told.

In talking to people who have had this surgery and the professionals I am now working with, I believe that my year of preparation with the expertise and support of TFL is why I am doing so well in my recovery. My surgeon has confirmed this. So, to all of them I send a great big thank you. I cannot wait to resume my classes and training with such dedicated and caring trainers.

Monique Dubois, Morgan Hill