Water Board approved salary hikes

Water board commissioners unanimously approved increasing newly appointed district manager Wesley Hubbard’s salary at their February 13 regular district meeting. His salary will increase nearly $18,000 annually as it goes from $28.50 to $37.00 an hour. Mitchell Nevi was promoted to assistant manager after the position was vacated by Hubbard’s promotion; his salary was increased to $28.50.

The board also discussed plans to hire another outside employee in the near future. “I am planning on posting the position in the next month or two,” Hubbard said later.

“The district is way too busy for just two operational employees, even for three. We need at least three people to provide redundancy in case someone is out sick,” he added.

The district is close to approving its comprehensive plan update, a process that has been underway since 2022 and is expected to cost $186,000 when all is said and done. Hubbard said he will be reviewing it in the beginning of March after which it will be sent to the state department of health for review and approval. With approval in hand, Hubbard expects to conduct a rate review later this year in anticipation of expected capital facility improvements.

Hubbard is also reviewing the 2024 budget’s income and expense projections.