SALIDA SANITARY DISTRICT
Regular Meeting of the Board of
Directors
May 14, 2026
The
regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Salida Sanitary District was
called to order by President Gary Horton at 6:00 P.M. in the Salida Sanitary
District Boardroom. Other Directors
present were Gary Dew, Lana Moore, and Brad Johnson. Others present were
Attorney Dennis L. Hay, District Manager-Engineer Antonio Tovar, Secretary Linda
Walker, and Cathy Dominico of Capitol Public Finance Group.
President
Gary Horton opened the scheduled public hearing on the proposed sewer rate
increase.
Rate
consultant Cathy Dominico of Capitol Public Finance, presented highlights of
the sewer rate study report that was adopted March 12, 2026
and the Proposition 218 Hearing process. The purpose of the rate study was to
provide sufficient revenues to operate and maintain the District’s
sewer infrastructure, reflect prudent rate funding of capital projects, and
meet target reserve balances. The Proposition 218 process requires a cost basis for establishing the level
of the rates. Fees shall not exceed the
proportional cost of providing the service.
Fees shall not exceed the proportional cost of providing the service
attributable to the parcel upon which it is imposed. The fees that were established from the rate study are the maximum amount of fees the District is allowed to charge. The revenue requirement for the rate increase
is based on adequately funding annual infrastructure
renewal and replacement, including debt service requirements based on the
estimated cost of the proposed new digester. If the new digester project looks
different in the future, with a lower estimated cost, the District
could potentially lower the amount of fees charged. The revenue requirement is
not based on costs related to new development.
The cost of service is based on fixed costs, volume costs, and strength
costs. The State data used for the
strength factor supports the proportionate allocate of
costs based on the type of user, as required under Proposition 218.
As there
were no members of the public wishing to comment, or submit written letters of protest, the
hearing was closed.
Secretary
Linda Walker reported to the Board of Directors, a
total of three written letters of protest were received. A motion was made by Director Dew to adopt
Resolution No. 1807, “Resolution Certifying the Results of a Proposition 218
Majority Protest Proceeding and Setting the District’s Sewer Service
Fees.” The motion was seconded by
Director Moore, and on vote unanimously carried.
Director
Johnson moved to adopt Ordinance 2026-1, “Ordinance of the Governing Board of
the Salida Sanitary District Amending Ordinance No. 2021-1 Fixing Sewer Service
Rates and Charges; Authorizing the Collection of Said Rates and Charges on the
Tax Roll of the County of Stanislaus; and Repeal of Inconsistent
Ordinances.” The motion was seconded by
Director Moore, and on vote unanimously carried.
Members of
the public were invited to address the Board, but no
comments were made.
The
minutes of the regular meeting held April 9, 2026 were
unanimously approved as submitted.
Bills of
the District totaling $186,029.07 were presented for payment. A motion was made by Director Dew, seconded
by Director Johnson and on vote unanimously carried to adopt Resolution No.
1808, “Resolution Authorizing Payment of Bills.”
District
Manager-Engineer Antonio Tovar’s staff report included the following:
1.
The
District Manager-Engineer met with Stanislaus County Planning staff regarding
the status of the Programmatic Environmental Impact report for the Salida
Community Plan Amendment Area. The
report is scheduled to be released this upcoming Summer. The group also inquired about the District’s ongoing review of the Cottonwood and Fallbrook
residential projects’ Sanitary Sewer Capacity and Peak Flow Analysis Report.
The report will be brought back to the Board of Directors for further
discussion.
2.
The
District Manager-Engineer attended the kickoff meeting for the start of the
design of 2 rapid infiltration basins
3.
The
District collected a sewer connection fee in the
amount of $1139.30 for a new storage building at 5100 Elm Street.
4.
The
District Manager-Engineer reported that CMAT removed additional excess material
from the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
5.
During
a significant storm event on April 21, 2026, the Wastewater Treatment Plant
recorded an influent flow of 1.94 million gallons per day (mgd). For comparison, the plant’s average flow is
1.2 mgd.
6.
The
City of Modesto released updated land use maps as part of the General Plan 2050
Map.
7.
The
District Manager-Engineer attended 2 grant webinars with the U.S. Bureau of
Reclamation and California Department of Water Resources.
District
Manager-Engineer Tovar presented to the Board, a
written report containing background information, discussion topics, findings,
recommendations, and fiscal impacts regarding the repair of one of the District’s influent pumps.
Director Moore moved to find ACE Electric Motor & Pump Company is
qualified to perform the required services based on their specialized
mechanical qualifications, and fiscal efficiency, and approve the repair of an
influent pump by ACE Electric Motor & Pump Company in the amount of
$12,224.25, plus applicable sales tax.
The motion was seconded by Director Johnson, and on
vote unanimously carried.
The
meeting was adjourned to Closed Session.
_______________________
Secretary