Ramona Water District Hires New Assistant General Manager

David Barnum, chief financial officer for Ramona Municipal Water District, was officially hired as assistant general manger by the board of directors at its Feb. 22 meeting. He will work both jobs over the next eight months, while he learns the ropes from General Manager Ralph McIntosh who will retire in October.

If it works out for both the district and Barnum, he will be promoted to general manager when McIntosh leaves the district. At that time, there will be a search to fill the chief financial officer position.

Barnum’s salary was set at $165,433, which is at the top of the scale for the district’s pay range. It represents a 5 percent increase over his current salary of $153,269 and is what he was due to receive next month as chief financial officer. Annette Findley, human resources manager, said the average salary for an assistant general manager in the water industry runs between $130,608 and $170,100.

The action to hire Barnum, 44, was taken following a 1 hour and 45 minute closed session during the board meeting.

In other business at the meeting, Frank Belock, deputy general manger of San Diego County Water Authority, gave a presentation to the board to update water rate issues. The main reason for rates being raised is due to higher costs of obtaining water from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, Belock said.

The County Water Authority, for example, sustained a 62 percent increase in water supply costs and a 30 percent increase in facilities investment costs. Operational costs increased by 8 percent.

In other business, the board discussed amendments to an agreement for a solar project for the Santa Maria Water Reclamation Plant in Ramona Acres and the San Vicente Water Reclamation Plant near San Diego Country Estates.

Residents living within 300 feet of the two plants will be sent a letter of a public hearing on March 8 regarding the project. It will be held during the regular board meeting that begins at 4:30 p.m. in the Community Center, at 434 Aqua Lane.

A presentation will be made at that time by a representative from the solar company. It is estimated that it will generate a savings for the district of approximately $1 million over the next 20 years. The savings will come from reduced electricity costs.

Also, several legislative issues were revised or rescinded from the RMWD’s guidelines.