Water District Manager Receives Praise, Salary Boost

Ramona Municipal Water District General Manager Ralph McIntosh received high praise and a 1 percent salary increase from the board of directors at the Dec. 14 meeting. The raise brings his annual salary to $173,147, effective Jan. 1, 2011.

"We think the general manager's done a terrific job for this district," board President Jim Robinson said.

Other members agreed.

"We have a unique district here," director Darrell Beck said. "We have a general manager who is in charge of water, sewer, parks and fire. He's our County Water Authority representative. ... He does quite a few other things. It's important we have people here on duty that understand how the system works. We know Ralph has been here 38 years (as a district employee)."

Director Everett "Red" Hager praised McIntosh for keeping the board well informed on district affairs, calling him "a great communicator." Hager went on to say that in his personal opinion, "the man is underpaid."

"The man does a fantastic job," Hager continued. "He signed a five-year contract. I want to make sure he stays for those five years."

Director George Boggs added, "This guy's worth every nickel we pay him, and then some."

McIntosh, 56, is about halfway through his five-year contract. He was hired as general manager in August 2008, after working his way up from meter reader to water operations superintendent. He is a native of Ramona, who joined the water district staff soon after graduating from high school here. When he started working for the district in 1973, he was the youngest employee, at age 19.