Date Submitted
2023-04-14
Name
Justin Scott-Coe
Party
Monte Vista Water District
Question
In the Proposed Budget Summary, account 7610 is named "OBMP - Implementation of 2020 Storage Mgmt. Plan." In the Engineering Services Budget Tables and Narrative, this account has been renamed to "Develop Storage and Recovery Master Plan." Assuming that the renaming of the account is the result of a change in scope for this account, would it be more appropriate to provide a new account number for an account that is funding a different scope of work?
PARTY:
Monte Vista Water District
QUESTION ASKED REGARDING THE BUDGET:
Regarding Account No: 7610
In the Proposed Budget Summary, account 7610 is named "OBMP - Implementation of 2020 Storage Mgmt. Plan." In the Engineering Services Budget Tables and Narrative, this account has been renamed to "Develop Storage and Recovery Master Plan." Assuming that the renaming of the account is the result of a change in scope for this account, would it be more appropriate to provide a new account number for an account that is funding a different scope of work?
Account 7610 was created in FY 2020/21 for Engineering Services. This account has remained active with the purpose of capturing costs for the Storage and Recovery Master Plan. Maintaining the same account for the overall project is appropriate. Much of the scope of the implementation of the 2020 SMP (as it was called in past years) is part of the FY 2023-24 scope to develop a S&R Master Plan. Based on that, West Yost and Watermaster will continue to use the same account number, since we plan to also Carry-Over some of the funds.
Date Submitted
2023-04-14
Name
Justin Scott-Coe
Party
Monte Vista Water District
Question
The 4/13/23 Financial Report B5 (pg. 13) shows account 6906.26 under budget by $88k (48%) as of February 2023; however, the Engineering Services Budget Tables do not show anything under Expected Carryover from 2022/23 for this budget item. Does Watermaster expect the full amount (~$277k) budgeted for this account in FY 2022/23 to be spent by June 30, 2023?
PARTY:
Monte Vista Water District
QUESTION ASKED REGARDING THE BUDGET:
Regarding Account No: 6906.26
The 4/13/23 Financial Report B5 (pg. 13) shows account 6906.26 under budget by $88k (48%) as of February 2023; however, the Engineering Services Budget Tables do not show anything under Expected Carryover from 2022/23 for this budget item. Does Watermaster expect the full amount (~$277k) budgeted for this account in FY 2022/23 to be spent by June 30, 2023?
With 4 months of expenses remaining to be recorded for FY 2022/23, account 6906.26 could be under budget as of June 30, 2023. Funds may be used as Carry-Over for the next fiscal year, if applicable.
Date Submitted
2023-04-14
Name
Justin Scott-Coe
Party
Monte Vista Water District
Question
The Legal Services Budget Memo for account 6072 states, "Certain Parties have requested that Watermaster not just update the Rules and Regulations, but undertake a wholesale rewrite. This budget
item presents the level of effort for such a rewrite." On December 23, 2022, Watermaster sent an email to Parties with the following request: "During [the Fiscal Year 2021-2022] revision process, certain Parties requested that Watermaster undertake a broader rewrite of the Rules and Regulations. Funding for such a process was included in Watermaster's Fiscal Year 2022/23 Budget. At this time, Watermaster is soliciting input from the Parties as to any suggested amendments to Watermaster's Rules and Regulations." It appears that Watermaster received minimal input (one party posted on https://www.cbwm.org/pages/rulesregs; we're aware of one additional letter [ours]). Due to minimal interest, we recommend removal from this budget item the level of effort required for a wholesale rewrite.
PARTY:
Monte Vista Water District
QUESTION ASKED REGARDING THE BUDGET:
Regarding Account No: 6072
The Legal Services Budget Memo for account 6072 states, "Certain Parties have requested that Watermaster not just update the Rules and Regulations, but undertake a wholesale rewrite. This budget
item presents the level of effort for such a rewrite." On December 23, 2022, Watermaster sent an email to Parties with the following request: "During [the Fiscal Year 2021-2022] revision process, certain Parties requested that Watermaster undertake a broader rewrite of the Rules and Regulations. Funding for such a process was included in Watermaster's Fiscal Year 2022/23 Budget. At this time, Watermaster is soliciting input from the Parties as to any suggested amendments to Watermaster's Rules and Regulations." It appears that Watermaster received minimal input (one party posted on https://www.cbwm.org/pages/rulesregs; we're aware of one additional letter [ours]). Due to minimal interest, we recommend removal from this budget item the level of effort required for a wholesale rewrite.
The AP requested a delay in this effort, not cancellation, and the anticipated expenses should be budgeted. In FY 2023-24 is the time when BHFS would have done the every other year review for necessary updates. BHFS didn’t do any update in FY 2022-23. At a minimum, BHFS should do the every other year review. If it’s clear no one wants to go forward with the rewrite, BHFS can adjust for the smaller “hygiene” update.
Date Submitted
2023-04-14
Name
Justin Scott-Coe
Party
Monte Vista Water District
Question
Does the budget for account 6907.45 include Watermaster legal expenses related to Parties' appeal of the Court's 11/18/22 ruling?
PARTY:
Monte Vista Water District
QUESTION ASKED REGARDING THE BUDGET:
Regarding Account No: 6907.45
Does the budget for account 6907.45 include Watermaster legal expenses related to Parties' appeal of the Court's 11/18/22 ruling?
Date Submitted
2023-04-14
Name
Justin Scott-Coe
Party
Monte Vista Water District
Question
The Legal Services Budget Memo for account 6907.45 states, "Work in 2023-2024 would include revision of the OBMP Implementation Plan, finalizing CEQA review, and seeking and obtaining necessary court approvals." As Parties have not reached consensus on amending the Peace Agreement, how does Watermaster propose to expend legal service funds to revise the OBMP Implementation Plan?
PARTY:
Monte Vista Water District
QUESTION ASKED REGARDING THE BUDGET:
Regarding Account No: 6907.45
The Legal Services Budget Memo for account 6907.45 states, "Work in 2023-2024 would include revision of the OBMP Implementation Plan, finalizing CEQA review, and seeking and obtaining necessary court approvals." As Parties have not reached consensus on amending the Peace Agreement, how does Watermaster propose to expend legal service funds to revise the OBMP Implementation Plan?
The funds are budgeted for the ongoing CEQA preparation and anticipated likely associated actions. Anticipated expenses should be budgeted. BHFS will budget for what they think they may spend their time on. The funds would not be expended if we/they don’t spend the time. We prefer to budget for things we think are reasonably likely to allow the parties to project potential expenses, as opposed to coming back mid-year to ask for a special assessment.
Date Submitted
2023-04-14
Name
Justin Scott-Coe
Party
Monte Vista Water District
Question
Are the ~$25k in "Carried Over" expenses identified in the 4/13/23 Financial Report B5 (see pg. 22) being applied to engineering services account 7220 (i.e., did account 6906.15 get changed to 7220)?
PARTY:
Monte Vista Water District
QUESTION ASKED REGARDING THE BUDGET:
Regarding Account No: 6906.15; 7
Are the ~$25k in "Carried Over" expenses identified in the 4/13/23 Financial Report B5 (see pg. 22) being applied to engineering services account 7220 (i.e., did account 6906.15 get changed to 7220)?
In FY 2021/22 account 6906.15 had Carry-Over of $25,774 which remained in that account for FY 2022/23. For FY 2023/24 it will be reclassified to account 7220, or eliminated from the Carry-Over.
Date Submitted
2023-04-14
Name
Justin Scott-Coe
Party
Monte Vista Water District
Question
Would the deliverables resulting from the Agricultural Production Estimation engineering services work under account 5920 replace the need for expending the ~$373k of "Carried Over" expenses currently available for Agricultural Meter Installation, Calibration, and Testing under accounts 7540 and 7545 (see 4/13/23 Financial Report B5 pg. 25)?
PARTY:
Monte Vista Water District
QUESTION ASKED REGARDING THE BUDGET:
Regarding Account No: 5925; 7540
Would the deliverables resulting from the Agricultural Production Estimation engineering services work under account 5920 replace the need for expending the ~$373k of "Carried Over" expenses currently available for Agricultural Meter Installation, Calibration, and Testing under accounts 7540 and 7545 (see 4/13/23 Financial Report B5 pg. 25)?
The FY 2022/23 Carry-Over funding in accounts 7540 and 7545 are not the same type of expenses as account 5925. Account 7540 and 7545 are the actual purchase and installation of meters, calibration of the meters, and testing of the meters within the Agricultural area by another third party vendor. Account 5925 is the Agricultural Production Estimation performed by West Yost. The findings of West Yost’s Ag Production Estimation may alter the use of the funds in accounts 7540 and 7545. The nature of any potential changes will be determined by the end of FY 2022-23.
Date Submitted
2023-04-14
Name
Justin Scott-Coe
Party
Monte Vista Water District
Question
The 4/13/23 Financial Report B5 shows account 5925 under budget by ~$18k (30%) as of February 2023 (pg. 13) and also with ~$22k "Carried Over" from the FY 2020/21 and 2021/22 budgets (pg. 22); however, the Engineering Services Budget Tables do not show anything under Expected Carryover from 2022/23 for this budget item. Does Watermaster expect the full amount (~$102k) budgeted and "Carried Over" for this account in FY 2022/23 to be spent by June 30, 2023?
PARTY:
Monte Vista Water District
QUESTION ASKED REGARDING THE BUDGET:
Regarding Account No: 5925
The 4/13/23 Financial Report B5 shows account 5925 under budget by ~$18k (30%) as of February 2023 (pg. 13) and also with ~$22k "Carried Over" from the FY 2020/21 and 2021/22 budgets (pg. 22); however, the Engineering Services Budget Tables do not show anything under Expected Carryover from 2022/23 for this budget item. Does Watermaster expect the full amount (~$102k) budgeted and "Carried Over" for this account in FY 2022/23 to be spent by June 30, 2023?
The FY 2022/23 West Yost budget for account 5925 is $57,552 plus an additional amount of $22,325 from Carry-Over from prior years, for a total West Yost budget of $79,877 ($57,552 + $22,325 = $79,877). The FY 2022/23 Carry-Over amount of $22,325 has been spent during the current fiscal year. Year-To-Date expenses as of February 28, 2023 is $42,311 (including the Carry-Over of $22,325) leaving a balance available in budget account 5925 of $37,566. There could be approximately $15,000 - $20,000 left at the end of the fiscal year, which might be carried over, if applicable.
Date Submitted
2023-04-14
Name
Justin Scott-Coe
Party
Monte Vista Water District
Question
What is Watermaster's projection for total "Carried Over" Expenses as of June 30, 2023 (i.e., a projected update to the table on 4/13/23 Financial Report B5 pg. 22)?
PARTY:
Monte Vista Water District
QUESTION ASKED REGARDING THE BUDGET:
Regarding Account No: Multiple
What is Watermaster's projection for total "Carried Over" Expenses as of June 30, 2023 (i.e., a projected update to the table on 4/13/23 Financial Report B5 pg. 22)?
The final amounts will be completed after the closing of the books as of June 30, 2023. The total amount of Carry-Over will be know during the month of August 2023. Calculations will be completed to determine what amounts are left from previous Carry-Over accounts, and what new amounts are to be added for the new fiscal year. All of this information will be posted within the B-5 report after completion.
Date Submitted
2023-04-14
Name
Justin Scott-Coe
Party
Monte Vista Water District
Question
What is the projected "Carried Over" funding for the following accounts as of June 30, 2023: 6013, 6038, 6375.2, 6908.1, 7540, 7545, 5925, 6906.15, 7206.1, 7510, 7690.7, 7690.8? (This list is meant to represent the accounts with "Carry Over" funding in FY 2022/23 [4/13/23 Financial Report B5 pgs. 21-26] which are not identified for FY 2023/24 "Carry Over" funding in the Engineering Services Budget Tables.)
PARTY:
Monte Vista Water District
QUESTION ASKED REGARDING THE BUDGET:
Regarding Account No: Multiple
What is the projected "Carried Over" funding for the following accounts as of June 30, 2023: 6013, 6038, 6375.2, 6908.1, 7540, 7545, 5925, 6906.15, 7206.1, 7510, 7690.7, 7690.8? (This list is meant to represent the accounts with "Carry Over" funding in FY 2022/23 [4/13/23 Financial Report B5 pgs. 21-26] which are not identified for FY 2023/24 "Carry Over" funding in the Engineering Services Budget Tables.)
The following amounts (from your listing provided) are projected to be Carried-Over into FY 2023/24 as of June 30, 2023. Account 6013 for $6,000; Account 6038 for $22,000; Account 6375.2 for $4,498.75; Account 6908.1 for $130,237; Account 7540 for $175,400; Account 7545 for $181,650; Account 5925 for $10,000; Account 6906.15 for $25,774; Account 7206.1 for $54,012; Account 7690.7 for $20,063; and Account 7690.8 for $238,646.90