Legislators to Work Together for Reforms to Central Basin Municipal Water District

Both the state’s Senate Finance and Governance Committee and the Assembly Local Government Committee voted last week to approve different versions of bills to reform the Central Basin Municipal Water District (CBMWD) headquartered in Commerce.  Both bills seek to increase accountability within the agency following a history of poor leadership and ethics.

The Senate’s committee approved Sen. Ricardo Lara’s (D- Long Beach) bill, SB953, which proposes adding two seats to the CBMWD board.  Sen. Lara’s bill recommends that the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors assume the responsibility of appointing the two new members. The bill specifies that new members must live in the district and could come from a water utility in the district.  Lara indicated that candidates should be familiar with the responsibilities of a municipal district and be knowledgeable of the water industry.

Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia’s (D-Downey) bill, AB1794, would reduce the elected directors from four to five and then add three members to the board who would be elected by water utilities.

A 2015 State Auditor report highlighted the problems of leadership and ethics within the board that governs the district.  The audit included 32 recommendations and noted that the board had violated state law by improperly approving the establishment of a legal trust fund without adequate public disclosure, engaged in questionable contracting practices by avoiding competitive bidding and inappropriately using amendments to extend and expand contracts, and for causing the district to lose its liability insurance coverage. According to Joe Lagaspi, district spokesperson, the CBMWD board has already implemented 21 of the 32 audit recommendations.

Both legislators are committed to working together to reach a compromise for the betterment of the district.

Assemblywoman Garcia stated that, “I’ve always been committed to working with Sen. Lara and I am hopeful that we will be able to have complementary bills.”

Senator Lara echoed Garcia’s comments saying, “We’re not advocating one bill over the other. Assemblywoman Garcia and I will reach resolution and will both move legislation that reforms Central Basin.”

A press release from Garcia’s office noted that, “a new governance structure is needed that balances input from individuals with technical expertise and the public.  By maintaining a majority publicly elected board we keep the public’s voice. It is important to modify (Central Basin Municipal Water District’s) governance structure to ensure it remains accountable ad properly serves the consumers.”