Ukiah Daily Journal Staff
Updated: 06/03/2009 12:00:42 AM PDT
The Mendocino County Grand Jury compiled its findings on the Ukiah Valley Sanitation District and the city of Ukiah sewer system in a May 21 report that stated there needs to be better communication and accountability.
Ukiah Valley Sanitation District (the District) and the city of Ukiah (the city) provide sewer services to the Ukiah area. The grand jury states that it was looking into Ukiah-area sewer because of complaints and allegations of "financial wrong doing" by the city of Ukiah as a provider of sewer service with the district.
"Approximately half of the District's sewer accounts for domestic and commercial sewer billings lie within the City limits," the grand jury states.
The report, "Time For a Change" said that grand jurors found no evidence to support manipulation of money by the city, but other determinations were made about the city. The grand jury finds that the city estimates expenses compared to tracking actual data. The grand jury writes that workers, vehicles and equipment that are paid for by merged funds are used by other city departments.
"The investigation also identified examples of inadequate accounting procedures for cost allocation, poor or non-existent communication between the two parties, and inadequate long-term planning," the grand jury stated. The jury also states that it finds a lack of transparency by the city and mistrust by the district.
Money to build a "waste water collection and treatment plant" is being paid at a shared cost of about $4.9 million each year through 2036, and is said to "exacerbate" tensions between the city and the district.
The grand jury also finds that also in question are "accounting procedures that fail to track accurate data on water and sewer system maintenance costs within the City, including allocation of depreciation of equipment. The current system does not detail operating and maintenance costs specifically attributable to the District."
A large portion of the grand jury report details the relationship of the city and the district from their respective births to present day.
Since the 1880s, the city has owned and operated a sewer plant. At first the plant was on Gobbi Street near the Russian River before a new one was built in 1959 northeast of Boonville Road and South State Street.
The county Board of Supervisors founded the district, and its boundaries have changed little since then. It was decided that the district would share the city's plant.
The report includes a list of 19 recommendations for the district and the city: That the Ukiah City Council and the district board hold more briefings on permit renewal and sewer plant upgrades or any subsequent projects. Meetings to understand the responsibilities of both entities are also requested.
The grand jury finds that the City Council and the district boards ought to "secure input from Mendocino County, Local Area Formation Council and other planning bodies" before making decisions on expansion.
Also recommended is for the city to provide reports on items that include revenue, spending, new connections and malfunctions at the sewer plant. The city and the district are also asked to improve communications about projects, new projects, complaints and inspections.
Expenses that purposely benefit one entity should now be paid for separately, the grand jury states. Other recommendations ask for better city accounting procedures and that certified personnel be employed by the city.
The grand jury states that it requires responses from the Ukiah city manager, the Ukiah City Council, the district's board of directors, the district's manager and on a portion of the findings, the director of the Local Area Formation Commission.
http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/ci_12508138
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