ECWCD okays separation program
The board of the East County Water Control District has approved a voluntary separation program with a buyout agreement that adjusts based on salary and years worked at the District, said Manager David Lindsay. The decision to fill any vacant positions was deferred to a future discussion.
If a position was left vacant for five years, the savings realized would be approximately $200,000, he said
That amount would vary by the individual employee’s rate of pay. If the position was filled sooner, the savings would be reduced.
The District website www.ecwcd.com lists two temporary positions, a heavy equipment mechanic and a canal maintenance technician.
The Board approved on a 3 to 1 vote to bring back design contracts to replace culverts and weirs at its July 27 meeting. The money will come from reserves and would cost between $300,000 and $400,000, Lindsay said.
He also noted that the design costs would be rolled over in a Florida Department of Environmental Protection loan with a low interest rate.
The comptroller said it would add $100,000 to department service per year.
In the past, the District has had difficulty getting loans from FDEP as their funds allocated for this purpose are low.
Chairman of the Board Desmond Barrett expressed his concern at the increasing debt and voted against the authorization.
The District has received to date just more than 95 percent of its tax acreage assessment.
With uncollectible taxes increasing, the budget will be adjusted to 6.5 percent in 2010 from the current 3.5 percent uncollected rate to reflect the tax deficit.
The rate payers will have to pay about $3 per acre which totals approximately $300,000 to cover the nonpayment, according to the comptroller, unless the District can reduce the 2010 budget.
Commission Neal Horrom said he could not make the budget meeting on August 10 and as a result, the meeting has been changed to Monday, Aug,. 17 at 6:30 p.m. at District headquarters off of Lee Blvd. and East County Lane.
No dates have been set for union contract negotiations yet. All commissioners were present except for John Boardman.
ECWCD okays separation program
The board of the East County Water Control District has approved a voluntary separation program with a buyout agreement that adjusts based on salary and years worked at the District, said Manager David Lindsay. The decision to fill any vacant positions was deferred to a future discussion.
If a position was left vacant for five years, the savings realized would be approximately $200,000, he said
That amount would vary by the individual employee’s rate of pay. If the position was filled sooner, the savings would be reduced.
The District website www.ecwcd.com lists two temporary positions, a heavy equipment mechanic and a canal maintenance technician.
The Board approved on a 3 to 1 vote to bring back design contracts to replace culverts and weirs at its July 27 meeting. The money will come from reserves and would cost between $300,000 and $400,000, Lindsay said.
He also noted that the design costs would be rolled over in a Florida Department of Environmental Protection loan with a low interest rate.
The comptroller said it would add $100,000 to department service per year.
In the past, the District has had difficulty getting loans from FDEP as their funds allocated for this purpose are low.
Chairman of the Board Desmond Barrett expressed his concern at the increasing debt and voted against the authorization.
The District has received to date just more than 95 percent of its tax acreage assessment.
With uncollectible taxes increasing, the budget will be adjusted to 6.5 percent in 2010 from the current 3.5 percent uncollected rate to reflect the tax deficit.
The rate payers will have to pay about $3 per acre which totals approximately $300,000 to cover the nonpayment, according to the comptroller, unless the District can reduce the 2010 budget.
Commission Neal Horrom said he could not make the budget meeting on August 10 and as a result, the meeting has been changed to Monday, Aug,. 17 at 6:30 p.m. at District headquarters off of Lee Blvd. and East County Lane.
No dates have been set for union contract negotiations yet. All commissioners were present except for John Boardman.
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