Helix Water District Board – Asleep Again

I am running for the Helix Water District Board and here's one of the reasons why:

Wednesday, October 17, 2012, the Helix Water District (HWD) staff notified the Board of Directors (BOD) that they had hired a new auditor. Did you get that? Staff notified the BOD. 

The purpose of an outside auditor is to have an independent set of eyes examine the District’s books to prevent ethics breaches, or impropriety.

It isn't staff's place to hire the auditors. The BOD needs to make sure there is no conflict of interest in any way and at the very least, discussion needs to take place in a public forum. For example, it is important that the auditor isn't related to a staff or board member or a friend of a staff or board member. The District's ethics can be called into question and crimes can be hidden.    

During the meeting, when questioned by the only decent board member, Kathleen Coates Hedberg, staff claimed that they didn't need board approval because the cost is less than $50,000.

What? That's our money and they do need board approval. The BOD is tasked with hiring the auditor, the board secretary the general manager and legal council. How could this BOD allow a staff member to circumvent it's authority? 

My opponent, Chuck Muse, is on the hiring committee. However, he and the other three board members, gave it the big 'ol rubber stamp just as they do with about everything else, including unnecessary rate hikes. And worse yet, the new General Manager, Carlos Lugo, appears not to know better. Perhaps he will learn. 

I guess Mr. Muse forgot to do his job. 

We need change on the Helix Water Board. I hope you will vote for me November 6, 2012.