Tag Archive for: Governance

Vallecitos Water District Meets Highest Transparency Standards

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The Vallecitos Water District (VWD) was honored by the Special District Leadership Foundation (SDLF) for achieving re-accreditation with a “Transparency Certificate of Excellence.” SDLF recognizes organizations for their outstanding efforts to promote a transparent, well-governed public agency.

“This award is a testament to Vallecitos’ commitment to open government,” said Vallecitos Board President Dr. Tiffany Boyd-Hodgson. “The Board of Directors along with district staff are to be commended for their contributions that empower the public with information and facilitate engagement and oversight.”

Government Transparency Requirements Met

The SDLF certification indicates the highest level of public transparency. Photo: Vallecitos Water District governance

The SDLF certification indicates the highest level of public transparency. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Special District Leadership Foundation Senior Public Affairs Field Coordinator Chris Palmer presented the formal certificate to the Board of Directors at its August meeting upon its successful completion of its essential governance transparency requirements.

The requirements include:

  • Conducting ethics training for all board members
  • Properly hosting open and public meetings
  • Filing financial transactions and compensation reports to the State Controller in a timely manner

The district also fulfilled 19 individual website information requirements, allowing members of the public easy access to important information including board meeting agendas, past meeting minutes, the current Vallecitos Water District budget, and its most recent financial audit.

The final requirement in the certification process assessed the Vallecitos Water District’s community outreach effort and public engagement in the district’s governance, fulfilled through regular distribution of newsletters and public budget hearings.

SDLF Fosters Good Governance Practices Among Special Districts

Engineering Technician Alison Fisher is among the Vallecitos Water District employees providing transparent service to ratepayers. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Engineering Technician Alison Fisher is among the Vallecitos Water District employees providing transparent service to ratepayers. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

The Special District Leadership Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization formed to promote good governance and best practices among California’s special districts through certification, accreditation, and recognition programs.

To receive the recognition, the Vallecitos Water District website must post information meeting SDLF’s strict transparency requirements, including:

  • Election procedures and deadlines
  • Posted board meeting schedules and agendas
  • Current District budget
  • Recent financial audit
  • Compensation of Board members and staff (or link to the State Controller’s webpage)

The Vallecitos Board of Directors and executive staff must also show proof of educational training in public governance, as well as compliance with ethics and harassment prevention training.

More information on VWD’s transparency efforts can be viewed at www.vwd.org/transparency.

Vallecitos Water District Board of Directors (left to right): President Tiffany Boyd-Hodgson, District 5; Vice President Jim Pennock, District 1: Director Erik A. Groset, Division 4; Director Jim Hernandez, Division 2; Director Craig Elitharp, Division 3. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Boyd-Hodgson Named 2024 Vallecitos Board President

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The Vallecitos Water District Board of Directors selected its leadership for 2024 at its December board meeting.

2024 President Tiffany Boyd-Hodgson, District 5. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Tiffany Boyd-Hodgson

Dr. Tiffany Boyd-Hodgson was selected to serve as president. Boyd-Hodgson represents Division 5 which includes San Elijo Hills, Discovery Lake, and part of Lake San Marcos. She is a neuroscientist by training and mother of four.

Boyd-Hodgson’s priorities include water equity, water education, diversifying water supply, and providing clean, reliable water at the lowest possible rate. In 2023, she chaired the Personnel/Policy/Public Awareness Committee and served on the Finance Committee.

During her tenure on the Board, Boyd-Hodgson has been instrumental in establishing the Vallecitos Water District internship program with Palomar College, the scholarship program for area youth, and codifying single-use plastics reduction at the district.

 

Pennock Will Serve as Vice President

2024 Vice President Jim Pennock, District 1. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Jim Pennock

Jim Pennock was selected as Vice President. Pennock was first elected to the Vallecitos Water District board in 2020. A resident of San Marcos since 1995, Pennock’s involvement in the community includes having served on the Budget Review Committee, Student and Neighbor Relations Commission, and Planning Commission.

Pennock has also coached youth sports in San Marcos for the past 26 years. Pennock currently works in the insurance industry, and has owned his own insurance agency for the last 26 years.

Boyd-Hodgson and Pennock are joined by three directors on the 2024 board. They are Director Jim Hernandez, Division 2; Director Craig Elitharp, Division 3; and Director Erik A. Groset, Division 4.

(Editor’s note: The Vallecitos Water District is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the San Diego County region.)

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Vista Irrigation District Honored for Governance and Transparency

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The Vista Irrigation District has received two major statewide honors, the District of Distinction Platinum Recognition award and the Transparency Certificate of Excellence.

The District of Distinction recognition awarded by the Special District Leadership Foundation to special districts that show their commitment to good governance, transparency, prudent fiscal policies and sound operating practices. The district originally obtained its accreditation in 2009 and just received its most recent reaccreditation.

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Vista Irrigation District-governance-tranparency-statewide awards

Vista Irrigation District Honored for Governance and Transparency

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The Vista Irrigation District has received two major statewide honors, the District of Distinction Platinum Recognition award and the Transparency Certificate of Excellence.

The District of Distinction recognition is awarded by the Special District Leadership Foundation to special districts that show their commitment to good governance, transparency, prudent fiscal policies and sound operating practices. The district originally obtained its accreditation in 2009 and just received its most recent reaccreditation.

District of Distinction – governance and transparency

Platinum recognition is the highest level of recognition for a district and requires completion of all Special District Leadership Foundation programs demonstrating a comprehensive approach to excellence in district administration and government; the district is one of only ten special districts statewide to obtain District of Distinction Platinum recognition.

Transparency Certificate of Excellence

In addition to the District of Distinction award, the district received the Transparency Certificate of Excellence in recognition of its efforts to promote transparency in operations and governance to the public; 145 special districts in the state have received this certificate.

There are over 2,000 independent special districts in the state of California that provide essential services such as water, sewer, fire protection, and parks and recreation.

Both the District of Distinction and Transparency Certificate of Excellence awards require the district to meet numerous criteria, including training elected officials and staff, adopting financial, public information and conflict of interest policies, properly conducting and communicating open and public meetings, performing outreach efforts to constituents, and meeting twenty different website requirements.

The awards were presented at the recent California Special District Association annual conference.

The Special District Leadership Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization formed to promote good governance and best practices among California special districts through certification, accreditation and other recognition programs.

Vista Irrigation District is a public agency governed by an elected five-member board. The district provides water service to roughly 135,000 people in the city of Vista, and portions of San Marcos, Escondido, Oceanside, and unincorporated areas of San Diego County.

(Editor’s note: The Vista Irrigation District is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the metropolitan San Diego region.)

Sweetwater Authority Logo 2019Sweetwater Authority Logo 2019

Sweetwater Authority Board Appoints Chair and New Committee Assignments for 2020

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Chula Vista, CA – Sweetwater Authority (Authority) Governing Board voted in December to appoint Steve Castaneda as Board Chair for 2020; this will be his second term as chair. Hector Martinez was appointed as Vice Chair for 2020.

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Vista Irrigation District Logo

VID Receives Statewide Awards For Governance and Transparency

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Vista, Calif. – Vista Irrigation District has received two major statewide honors, the District of Distinction Platinum Recognition award and the Transparency Certificate of Excellence.

The District of Distinction recognition is awarded by the Special District Leadership Foundation to special districts that show their commitment to good governance, transparency, prudent fiscal policies and sound operating practices.

The district originally obtained its accreditation in 2009 and just received its most recent reaccreditation. Platinum recognition is the highest level of recognition for a district and requires completion of all Special District Leadership Foundation programs demonstrating a comprehensive approach to excellence in district administration and government; the district is one of only eleven special districts statewide to receive District of Distinction Platinum recognition.

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