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Levee Maintiance Assessment
For those who are not aware, a new levee maintenance assessment ($148 per year for PL homeowners) has been proposed and may go out to a vote (via mail ballots) next month.
There is a community meeting this Wednesday (25th) at 6:30 PM at Rio Del Oro Elementary to make sure people have the information they need to make a decision on this issue. Please take the time to make sure you understand this proposal fully and all of your questions have been answered before voting. It is very important to the future of our community. If you are unable to attend the meeting, fell free to post questions here or PM them to me or visit the TRLIA website (www.trlia.org) and submit your questions there.
Gary Bradford
Reclamation District 784 Trustee
There is a community meeting this Wednesday (25th) at 6:30 PM at Rio Del Oro Elementary to make sure people have the information they need to make a decision on this issue. Please take the time to make sure you understand this proposal fully and all of your questions have been answered before voting. It is very important to the future of our community. If you are unable to attend the meeting, fell free to post questions here or PM them to me or visit the TRLIA website (www.trlia.org) and submit your questions there.
Gary Bradford
Reclamation District 784 Trustee
Views: 16
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by PlumasLaker on -
Some additional information on the proposed assessment:
http://www.featherriversetbacklevee.com/assessment/
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Permalink Reply by Bill Vanooyen on -
Maintenance is vague. What exactly is required? Clearing and grubbing? Repairs what?
How many positions will be created with our money?
Will they be seasonal positions?
Will they use contractors for the maintenance and have a bid process?
How much money do they forecast raising with this new tax?
What type of equipment purchases will be required for the new maintenance program?
How do other communities fund their maintenance of levees?
Is there an environmental impact associated with this levee maintenance?
Is an environmental impact study required?
Will the tax be reduced if they exceed the forecasted revenue needed?
Will this new tax cover levee patrol during high water events?
What guarantee do we have that our money will go to our levee maintenance not
be siphoned of to fund other needs for the district?
Will there be any state or federal matching funds? Why or why not.
Thank you
Bill
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Permalink Reply by PlumasLaker on
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Some excellent questions Bill. As soon as I have a chance, I will provide answers to those I know and will forward the others onto someone else to get you the answers.
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Permalink Reply by PlumasLaker on
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A few things to note....
Reclamation District 784 (RD784 - http://www.rd784.org/) is the organization responsible for maintaining the levees and performing internal drainage here in Plumas Lake and some surrounding areas. They have been responsible for that task since 1908. You can visit the website to learn more about the specific levees maintained and drainage basins.
Three Rivers Levee Improvement Authority (TRLIA - http://www.trlia.org) is a joint powers authority that was formed in 2004 by RD784 and Yuba County with the goal to upgrade the levees to 200 levels and achieve FEMA accreditation.
In summary, RD784 maintains levees and TRLIA upgrades them.
The proposed assessment is being conducted by TRLIA but the money will be given to RD784 to perform the maintenance. There are several reasons why it is being done this way and I can go into more details if you are interested, but it is about timing and money.
You already pay an assessment to RD784 for levee maintenance and internal drainage, which I believe is around $60 per year. This new assessment is on top of that and is ONLY for levee maintenance and not internal drainage.
Maintenance is vague. What exactly is required? Clearing and grubbing? Repairs what?
This link lists some of the specific things the District is responsible for. If you most over the underlined items, you will receive additional details:
http://www.featherriversetbacklevee.com/assessment/OMprogram.html#
How many positions will be created with our money?
Previous budgets funded one maintenance superintendent, four maintenance workers, and a part time office manager. A study of the staffing needs for the District showed that a general manager and two maintenance workers should be added and the office manager should be full time. Some of those positions (GM and full time office manager) are already filled as TRLIA has provided some funds to help RD784 the last few years. They will be unable to do that in the future.
Will they be seasonal positions?
No. RD784's work is different depending on the season, but there is plenty of work to keep the crew busy at all times.
Will they use contractors for the maintenance and have a bid process?
Most maintenance is done in house. Some larger items (such as minor levee repairs) may be contracted out. I believe such items would go out to bid.
How much money do they forecast raising with this new tax?
$800,000 per year
What type of equipment purchases will be required for the new maintenance program?
See page 5 and 6 of the attached PDF.
How do other communities fund their maintenance of levees?
Levee maintenance is funding through local assessments and fees.
Is there an environmental impact associated with this levee maintenance?
I'm not sure I understand this question. Levee maintenance is already occurring and the District does need to comply with environmental laws.
Is an environmental impact study required?
Not for routine maintenance items. I know an EIS was required by TRLIA for the Feather River Setback Levee.
Will the tax be reduced if they exceed the forecasted revenue needed?
That is a possibility, however I don't believe it would happen anytime soon. The primary purpose of this assessment is levee maintenance and that will be the first priority for the money. In the future as more development occurs and more people pay the assessment, some of that additional revenue could be used to pay down bond debt from Yuba County and Yuba County Water Agency for the Feather River Setback levee.
Will this new tax cover levee patrol during high water events?
Most levee patrol during high water is volunteer based. However, District employees also help out and part of their salary is funded by this assessment. It is also possible gear and equipment purchased from this assessment would be used in flood fighting.
What guarantee do we have that our money will go to our levee maintenance not be siphoned of to fund other needs for the district?
The district only does two things...levee maintenance and internal drainage. We will be required to keep separate (and account for) money from this assessment to show that it is being used for levee maintenance only.
Will there be any state or federal matching funds? Why or why not.
No. Levee maintenance is a local responsibility and as a result is funded locally. State and federal funds can be used for major upgrades and repairs, but not maintenance. - Attachments:
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Permalink Reply by Bill Vanooyen on
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I read through their maintenance needs and (to be honest) some of the price tags seem very high. For instance; $5,000 grand for a power washer, $25, 000 for a welder 5 new pickup trucks $30,000 each and they already have three.
I work for a government body, so I am very reluctant to give more money away in taxes.
I sure would like to see a comparable cost analysis from a private contractor doing the same duties and being watched by an inspector for the district.
This would eliminate the need for most new equipment and the maintenance and fuel cost.
Don’t add and maybe reduce staff; train current employees to respond to emergency minor repairs, project/ construction management, and inspection of the private contractors and their equipment. Mowing weeds, grinding stumps and spraying herbicides are easily task the can be and often times done more efficiently with contract labor. If private contractors can build the levees, I think they probably could maintain levees.
The simple nature that you have contractors competing against one another for a two year or three year maintenance contract will allow for the free market to work and reduce cost.
Bill
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Permalink Reply by phinneyj on -
Reply by Bill Vanooyen on March 15, 2009 at 5:46pm
Maintenance is vague. What exactly is required? Clearing and grubbing? Repairs what?
Hopefully I can add to what Plumaslaker has already stated. In the documentation it gives an outline of the responsibilities for Levee maintenance. For an indept look I suggest you read The Levee Owner's Manual for Non-Federal Flood Control Works
How many positions will be created with our money?
Currently it is anticipated that the District will have 1 GM, 1 Office Manager, 1 Superintindent and 5 - 6 field employees
Will they be seasonal positions?
As the job is year round then there is not a seasonal component.
Will they use contractors for the maintenance and have a bid process?
We do us CCC and CalFire crews along with a contract sheep and goats organization. The CalFire crews are inmate crews and they will not be allowed to be used like they used to be due to increased urbanization. Furthermore it is not in the best interests to contract out to reduce maintenance costs. It is important that Distric employees maintain a historical knowledge of the flood protection structures in order to readily identify discrepancies.
How do other communities fund their maintenance of levees?
By state law, the communities that have a benefit from the flood protection structures are responsible for its operation and maintenance. This is done through direct assessment through a special flood control district. This allows the property owners local control of the district and gives them a vote in assessments. If the State forms a Maintenance Area then there is no local control and the property owner is directly billed through the county tax assessors office.
Is there an environmental impact associated with this levee maintenance?
Not required. However the district must follow environmental laws in its work which can have a negative impact on savings. For example, one of the more common ways of removing vegatation is by burning. Local air quality control districts are increasingly limiting this method and forceing the district to use more manpower and equipment intensive methods. These have increased costs.
Is an environmental impact study required?
No
Will the tax be reduced if they exceed the forecasted revenue needed?
By law each year the district provides a budget. That budget is used to determine the assessment within the guidelines of the initial voted Prop 218 assessment.
Will this new tax cover levee patrol during high water events?
As the levee patrol is part and parcel with operations and maintenance then yes it does.
What guarantee do we have that our money will go to our levee maintenance not
be siphoned off to fund other needs for the district?
This is done by the constituents being involved. It is also a matter of law that we are only allowed to use the funds as outlined in the voted on assessment.
Will there be any state or federal matching funds? Why or why not.
State and Federal funds are normally used for rehab and repair. This is done to maintain what is known as PL84-99 eligibility. Maintenance is the responsibility for those that derive a direct benefit of the structure.
Maintenance is outlined in the O&M manual for the particular unit. The manual I linked to above is a generic O&M manual. Each flood protection structure is unique and requirements vary.
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Permalink Reply by Bill Vanooyen on
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The last person I want my money to go to is a person who thinks it not in the best interest of the people to reduce maintenance/any cost. If current employees can train the new employees about the historical knowledge of the flood protection structures then I would say that the same techniques and knowledge could be passed on to private contractors for mowing, weeding, spraying and grass seed planting. Who has better knowledge of the new structures then the people who built them?
. What does this even mean?"
Furthermore it is not in the best interests to contract out to reduce maintenance costs. It is important that Distric employees maintain a historical knowledge of the flood protection structures in order to readily identify discrepancies.
The last person I want spending a nickel of my money is someone who does not think it is the best interest of all to save or reduce cost when ever possible.
If you can train the new staff about the historical structures then this same knowledge can be passed on the contractors. Mowing, stump grinding, seeding and spraying or whatever else needs to be done can be achieved by contractors without the burden of buying new equipment and maintenance cost.
I would feel better knowing the research was done on how to save money by what ever means possible rather then tax and spend typical government.
If you come to me with your hand out you better have done your homework and provide cost comparison how best to spend my money.
I cannot find anything in your comments or at their web site that shows me an alterative to government expansion, business as usual has been explored.
I visited the web site and that is why I so concerned where my money goes!
Again, I agree we need to protect our property.
I do however; have to take this time to respectfully disagree with the proposed plan.
Bill
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Permalink Reply by phinneyj on
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Bill,
Thank you for your comments. hopefully I can clarify what I posted.
You are asked from my earlier post.
". What does this even mean?"
Furthermore it is not in the best interests to contract out to reduce maintenance costs. It is important that District employees maintain a historical knowledge of the flood protection structures in order to readily identify discrepancies."
I believe I may not have worded this very well, please excuse me. What I am trying to say is that the district has and does contract out maintenance tasks. However, we still need to maintain employees that know the district, its infrastructures, facilities, pumps, drainage, and equipment. They need to know how to patrol and flood fight during high water events. They need to know where the weaknesses are and how to monitor them. They need to know how to locate and repair weaknesses in the system rapidly and effectively. Normal, everyday inspections and tasks are conducted by district employees. I believe the disconnect is that your perception of the district is a little more simplistic than the job actually entails. The passing on of district knowledge to contract maintenance personnel as you suggest means that we would be bringing on another layer of employment with a private contractor and another layer of complexity. At some point we still need to have personnel that reports directly to the manager. I invite you to attend our board meetings and take opportunities to learn more of the district. Websites and forums do not always accurately or completely inform the public as well as a tour of the facilities and seeing first hand what the job entails. I have been on the board a year now and I am still on a steep learning curve. These things you cannot simply pass onto a contractor in a couple of days and expect cost savings.
The District is committed to finding the most effective and efficient use of its resources. We continually seek out and find new ways of doing business that meets our statutory requirements and maintains the highest level of service to the districts constituents.
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Permalink Reply by Bill Vanooyen on
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. To imply I am disconnected or my perception is simplistic is insulting. I work in this field.
Contractors will do the mowing, weeding, spraying, seeding and stump grinding cheaper. The cost saving to the district will equipment, maintenance on said equipment, insurance on equipment, management on staff for new equipment, oh and don’t let me forget paid vacations, holidays, medical, dental vision, and pension debt.
On the other forum you ask for alternatives of another, here I provide very simple alternatives and you say I am disconnected.
“The District is committed to finding the most effective and efficient use of its resources”
My point is the district should use contract labor as its resource and then manage them. Then they will not have to expand expand expand.
It is as simple as creating bid document with very specific job description, accurate materials and quantizes with a rock solid set of special provision.
If providing a comparable analysis to save tax payer money is to complex for the District then, I VOTE NO!
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Permalink Reply by phinneyj on
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Bill said "To imply I am disconnected or my perception is simplistic is insulting. I work in this field."
That would be the flood protection field?
Contractors will do the mowing, weeding, spraying, seeding and stump grinding cheaper. The cost saving to the district will equipment, maintenance on said equipment, insurance on equipment, management on staff for new equipment, oh and don’t let me forget paid vacations, holidays, medical, dental vision, and pension debt.
We would then need to pay their full time pay and their vacations, holidays, medical, dental vision and pension debt. Or are you opposed to a living wage? You also fail to consider the burrowing animal control, repair of damaged areas caused by burrowing animal. Damage and repair of fences and gates. Maintenance and operation of pump stations. monitoring of piezometers and relief wells. leading flood flight operations. These activities are of an ongoing nature on 34 miles of levees, 47 miles of drainage canals, numerous detention basins and 10 pump stations. There are also the issues of plan checking for projects that effect drainage and levee encroachments. In order to meet our needs a contractor would have to base 24/7 equipment and personnel for the exclusive use on District business. You also fail to understand that the district is also has an emergency response component and that needs to have trained experienced personnel to lead and guide the volunteers. This is a 24/7 responsibility during high water events. It would be a failure of our fiduciary responsibilities to use contract labor managed by one person for this work. The equipment has to be available 24/7. The manpower has to be available 24/7. That is not done with a contractor that pays minimum wage with no benefits.
On the other forum you ask for alternatives of another, here I provide very simple alternatives and you say I am disconnected.
I said that we do contract out for those services, that can be contracted out for. Those services that make the most economic sense and still meet the districts obligations. Obviously, your concepts are not particularly in agreement with ours.
“The District is committed to finding the most effective and efficient use of its resources”
My point is the district should use contract labor as its resource and then manage them. Then they will not have to expand expand expand.
It is as simple as creating bid document with very specific job description, accurate materials and quantizes with a rock solid set of special provision.
If providing a comparable analysis to save tax payer money is to complex for the District then, I VOTE NO!
I would like you to quantify your "expand expand expand" statement.
I also stand by my statement that you perceived as insulting. Bill said "To imply I am disconnected or my perception is simplistic is insulting. I work in this field."
In your post above, I bolded where you said it was simple, twice. I am saying that it is not as simple as you think.
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Permalink Reply by PlumasLaker on
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Bill said "Contractors will do the mowing, weeding, spraying, seeding and stump grinding cheaper."
Jeff has correctly pointed out how important it is to have District employees that are intamently familiar with our levees. You correctly point out some areas that might be good candidates for "outsourcing". In fact, the district did a pilot program last year to test the use of goats to perform vegetation control. The program worked out very well and as result we singed a five year contract to use them even more.
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Permalink Reply by Bill Vanooyen on
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Lets try this another way.
How many homes will be taxed to date?
How much money will that generate?
What are the proposed budget needs for all facilities.
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