ORANGE COUNTY PERSPECTIVE : The Good in Water District Scandal

The firestorm over the Santa Margarita Water District’s expense accounts is having positive repercussions after all: Good can come from a scandal if it produces reform.

Now, almost every Orange County water district is beginning to question rules and regulations related to a host of ethical issues. What are appropriate per diem limits on out-of-town spending? Should consultants pick up lunch tabs for staff members? When is a good time on the town too good a time?

For years, many of these boards have operated out of the limelight, beyond scrutiny of constituents and the general public. They’re not the big-time public officials, but that hasn’t stopped them from running up big-time expenses.

Now, however, their cozy corners are being illuminated. The public has been flooded with tales of high living in New York, meals, trips, sheepskin seat covers and more.

“Why not take a look?” now asks one lawyer whose law firm represents several of the county’s 17 water districts. It’s a very good question, even if it is being asked better late than never.

Already there is fallout from the suspension of Santa Margarita’s General Manager Walter W. (Bill) Knitz and his assistant, Michael P. Lord. Leaders of the Tri-Cities Municipal Water District, for example, are having second thoughts about part-time General Manager Ramon D. Woodside’s oversight of district engineering work in instances where it might pose a conflict. Woodside also works at a Tustin engineering firm, and good questions are being asked about the amount of district work for which his employer might be recommended. The board ought to do the sensible thing, as it is considering--put the engineering work out to competitive bid so that even the appearance of conflict is removed.

Some of this soul-searching at the local level of water districts may be tardy, but better attention to ethical questions in public policy matters is always welcome, even if it means in some instances that water officials must march to the public confessional.

On Wednesday, the general manager of the South East Regional Reclamation Authority apologized for any embarrassment caused by disclosures of his monthly expense accounts. They averaged $1,000 for travel and dining with board members.

In coming clean, William P. Becker proposed new guidelines and promised to avoid any expenses until the board of directors implements some standards, probably its own. That’s a start, and other agencies with eye-popping expense reports should learn from this kind of commitment to reformation.