ITEM:

CONSENT CALENDAR

 

4.

CONSIDER EXPENDITURE OF BUDGETED FUNDS FOR WATER SAVING DEVICES AND WATER CONSERVATION MATERIALS

 

Meeting Date:

November 19, 2007

Budgeted: 

Yes

 

From:

David A. Berger,

General Manager

Program/

Promote Best Management Practices

 

 

Line Item No.:    

4-2-1, 4-2-3, 4-2-4

 

 

 

Prepared By:

Stephanie Pintar

Cost Estimate:

$50,000

 

General Counsel Approval:  N/A

Committee Recommendation:  The Administrative Committee reviewed this item on November 8, 2007 and recommended approval.

CEQA Compliance:  N/A

 

SUMMARY:   District staff has been working with California American Water (CAW) on the outreach portion of the joint water conservation campaign.  As one of the District’s efforts, free water saving devices (i.e. showerheads, faucet aerators, hose nozzles, soil moisture meters, etc.) are provided to the public at events and meetings.  In addition, publications and hand-outs about ways to save water are in high demand, particularly in a dry weather cycle, and District staff would like to purchase and provide these materials free of charge as well.  District staff has partnered with CAW to enable purchase of these items at reduced bulk price rates.  Purchases are coordinated with CAW to ensure that there is no duplication of effort and to obtain the best prices from vendors who quote on the products ordered.  Both entities provide these materials in the water conservation outreach and education effort.

 

Staff is requesting authorization for a not to exceed amount of $50,000 to purchase water saving devices and materials.  The District has funding from calendar year 2007 to purchase these items from the MPWMD conservation surcharge approved in CAW’s last general rate case.  The conservation surcharge is based on a calendar year and will be renewed in 2008. 

 

RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the Administrative Committee support this item with a recommendation that the Board authorize staff a maximum of $50,000 for purchasing water saving devices and materials.

 

IMPACT TO STAFF/RESOURCES:  The Board approved $200,000 for rebate and conservation promotion and advertising in the FY 2007-08 budget. Funding is shown as a revenue in the 2007-08 budget, and available through reimbursement by CAW under the MPWMD conservation surcharge approved by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) as Special Request 7 (SR7) of the last General Rate Case.  

 

EXHIBITS

None

 

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