Is a raise in order for the Santa Clara Valley Water District
board of directors? The public will have the opportunity to discuss
the water district’s recommendation for one at a hearing in two
months at its San Jose headquarters.
Morgan Hill
Is a raise in order for the Santa Clara Valley Water District board of directors? The public will have the opportunity to discuss the water district’s recommendation for one at a hearing in two months at its San Jose headquarters.
The California Water Code authorizes the board to increase compensation up to 5 percent every year, though in 2009 the board voted against a raise.
A 5 percent increase for each meeting or “day’s service,” according to the agenda item, would be $286.03 if approved following the public hearing set for 10 a.m. Oct. 12 at 5700 Almaden Expressway, San Jose. The pay update would cost the district $10,920 for the 2010-11 fiscal year, from Jan. 1 through June 30.
Following the public hearing, the board may vote to increase compensation, keep it at the 2010 level or establish a rate that falls somewhere in between.
Currently, board members are paid $260.03 per meeting for up to 10 meetings, events and activities each month. The seven-member board of directors is also reimbursed for mileage at a rate of $0.50 per mile, and each director is allocated a $2,500 discretionary stipend each year. In June the Times reported that South County at-large Director Cy Mann spent part of his discretionary money on a 64-gigabye iPad with which he said he uses to view lengthy board documents.
From Jan. 1 to March 31, District 1 Director Rosemary Kamei was paid $7,800. 90 for attending 30 meetings, ceremonies and events in those three months. Also, Kamei received compensation for 1,790 miles of driving – or $895. Kamei resides in Morgan Hill and the majority of meetings she must attend are in San Jose.
At today’s 9:30 a.m. meeting, the board of directors is expected to approve the public hearing time and date. If adopted, the raise will not effect Mann or Kamei because neither are seeking re-election to board of directors. Mann is running for a seat on the Santa Clara County Board of Education and Kamei has decided to not run for any elected position which will be decided by voters Nov. 2.
