Water District OKs Leaner Budget

The Camrosa Water District in Camarillo has adopted a $6.26-million budget for 1992-93, chopping more than $1.2 million from the current budget.

By cutting costs, the district was able to absorb an 18% increase in the cost of buying water from Calleguas Municipal Water District without raising rates, said Richard Hajas, the district’s new general manager.

“The board directed me to cut expenses, so I did,” Hajas said.

The current budget, passed by a board that has since been replaced by new members after a recall election in November, “was high because of the policies the board had,” he said.

Camarillo’s city water department raised its rates this week from 80 cents to 90 cents per 100 cubic feet of water to offset the cost of the same 18% increase, which was passed along from the Metropolitan Water District. Calleguas buys its water from MWD as well.

Camrosa’s budget cuts will not eliminate any programs or services, although they will eliminate two jobs, that of a clerk and a bookkeeper. The loss of those positions will save another $45,000, Hajas said.

One of the biggest chunks came out of $700,000 budgeted this year for depreciation of equipment, but not put in a separate account to pay for the replacement. Hajas decided to set aside $72,000 in an account for such spending.

The district also cut $342,000 from the repair and maintenance budget, choosing to fund capital improvements with new connection fees rather than funds from the operating budget, Hajas said.