Title
Consider approving an Agreement with Management Partners in the amount of $94,900 for the first phase of a comprehensive Strategic Planning process for the Monterey County Water Resources Agency and direct staff to include this activity in the FY 2018-19 Budget.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Monterey County Water Resources Agency Board of Directors:
Approve an Agreement with Management Partners in the amount of $94,900 for the first phase of a comprehensive Strategic Planning process for the Monterey County Water Resources Agency and direct staff to include this activity in the FY 2018-19 Budget.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
On January 12, 2017, the Monterey County Water Resources Agency (Agency) held a Strategic Planning Workshop facilitated by Management Partners, which focused on understanding the Agency’s programs, projects, cost, gaps in funding, and the staffing for those programs and projects.
On November 16, 2017, a second workshop was held to obtain an update on the Agency’s top 2017-18 priorities and discuss the Agency’s financial position and revenue options to be pursued, as well as potential services the Agency can provide, subject to reimbursement, to the Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA). The Workshop concluded with an agreement on priorities for FY 2017-18 and FY 2018-19, and a consensus on initiating a process to develop a comprehensive Strategic Plan for the Agency.
In addition, on January 10, 2018, the Agency Planning Committee addressed the need for a two- phase Strategic Planning approach with the intent to begin phase one in the spring of FY 2017-18. However, the Agency’s FY 2017-18 budgeted expenses currently exceed revenues by approximately $2,686,454, and this agreement with Management Partners is not even included in the budget.
Furthermore, the Agency was recently informed that the General Manager and Senior Hydrologist will be required to prepare for legal depositions and testimonies scheduled for Spring 2018. This will further impact an already heavy workload for all involved, including Agency staff which will be essential in gathering data.
Moreover, the Agency Executive Management Team has also considered the time it will take to hire the following positions that will occur in the Spring of 2018: Water Maintenance Superintendent, Assistant Water Maintenance Superintendent, Water Resources Technician, and backfill the Accounting Technician and Senior Account Clerk.
In considering all factors, the Executive Management Team has made the difficult decision to request that the Board of Directors move this critical Strategic Planning session to the FY 2018-19 budget when Agency staff can better engage in the Strategic Planning phase one.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
There was no other Agency involvement in the preparation of this report.
FINANCING:
The Agency will budget the cost of this agreement in the amount of $94,900 in the FY 2018-19 Budget.
Prepared by: Cathy Paladini, Deputy General Manager, (831) 755-4860
Approved by: _______________________________________________
David E. Chardavoyne, General Manager (831) 755-4860
Attachments:
1. Managing Partners Agreement
2. Board Order