Big Bear Area Regional Wastewater Agency new budget

Big Bear City, CA, March 1, 2012 – The Big Bear Area Regional Wastewater Agency held a special meeting to cover several items including the first public meeting in which the proposed new budget was presented in a workshop setting.  The proposed 2012-2013 budget reflects the 4% increase in rates charged to the member agencies including the City of Big Bear Lake, the Big Bear City Community Services District and the county area of 53b Fawnskin.  Several large projects are included in the new budget including the rebuilding and replacement of the Lake Pump Station in Big Bear Lake and a covered drying bed.  The cost of these projects is less than originally projected due in part to lower construction costs.  Other highlights of the next year’s budget include lower costs associated with treatment plant efficiencies.  Cash flow is also projected to be higher because of bond refinancing and higher cash balances from the operations.  In total they are  projecting a balanced budget for the coming year, completion of $1.7 million in capital improvements without borrowing and lower debt expenses.  Formal adoption of the budget will take place during the regular March and April BBARWA meetings.

BBARWA Recieves Award For Excellence in Budget Planning!

Big Bear, Ca, November 9, 2011, 12:00pm - The Big Bear Area Wastewater Agency has received another Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Associations of the United States and Canada for the agencies fiscal year of 2011-2012 operating budget.  This will now be the 4^th consecutive year that BBARWA and the agencies finance department have received this award.  To receive the award BBARWA has to meet recognized standards measuring how well its budget serves as a financial plan, and operations of the organization.  “These awards mean a lot to the staff and agency,” said BBARWA General Manager Steve Schindler, “because it’s from a professional organization in the field of government finance; professionals who acknowledge and commend agencies for doing things right.”  KBHR congratulates BBARWA on their 4^th year receiving the award, and thanks them for their excellent budgeting skills.

BBARWA Refinances, Saves Money

Big Bear, Ca, October 27, 2011, 12:00pm - At the October 26^th regular meeting of the Big Bear Area Wastewater Agency Board of Directors, board members approved the refinancing of the agencies outstanding debt.  The refinancing will save BBARWA an estimated $557,000 and include interest savings from not having to borrow $606,000 to conduct a total replacement of the Lake Pump Station.  BBARWA’s Finance Manager Jennifer McCullar oversaw the project, and was responsible for the groundwork that was done on refinancing the debt.  The lower debt service will improve the agencies debt service coverage and reserve debt capacity for future capital projects, which is definitely good news.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

East Boat Ramp All Clear For Swimming

Small Spill Near East Boat Ramp

Big Bear, Ca, September 22, 2011, 12:00pm - If you have been over to the East Boat Ramp on the Northshore of Big Bear Lake recently you may have noticed signs urging swimmers to stay out of the water.  Early Tuesday morning, east boat ramp workers showed up at 7:00am to open up the ramp, and noticed some sewage was leaking near the building, and some had gone in the water.  The Big Bear Area Wastewater Agency immediately responded and found a small leak in a pipe at the boat ramp.  By 7:30am the leak had been contained and fixed.  According to Joe Hanford, BBARWA Plant Superintendent, the leak was estimated to be 100 gallons of sewage that went into the lake.  While that may seem like a lot to you, Scott Heule at the MWD told KBHR that this amount is actually very small when you look at the size of the lake.  An acre foot is 325,000 gallons, and currently there are 70,000 acre feet, meaning there is 22,750,000,000 gallons of water in the lake, which means the 100 gallon spill was very insignificant.  Hanford told KBHR that the only problem with the spill is that it happened in a small bay, which means the spill was contained, however yesterdays water samples show that the water in the bay is already cleaning up, and by tomorrow that area should be clear to swim in again.  Huele told KBHR that BBARWA was great, and that they responded immediately, taking care of the problem.

BBARWA Employees Give To Big Bear Schools

Big Bear, Ca, August 25, 1:00pm - The Big Bear area Wastewater Agency met on August 24^th for their regularly scheduled meeting.  At the meeting BBARWA employees presented Bear Valley Unified School District Superintendent Kurt Madden with a check for $525 that went towards helping students in need.  The money was spent in the following ways. At Chatauqua High School, money was used for health services for a student whose family doesn’t have insurance.  At Baldwin Lane Elementary, the school was able to purchase clothes and toiletries for a student living in a tent. Big Bear Elementary gave a gift card to a student whose family is struggling, North Shore Elementary bought clothing for students, Big Bear High School put the money into the principal’s fund for needy students, which goes towards physicals, tetanus shots, shoes, glasses, and yearbooks,  And Big Bear Middle School bought backpacks for needy students.  BBARWA employees won the money in this year’s Old Miner’s Outhouse Races, making this their second consecutive year of winning the outhouse races, and donating their prize winnings back to the schools.  In a letter to BBARWA, Superintendent Madden thanked the employees stating “Your gift is greatly appreciated and the students and staff will benefit from your thoughtfulness and generosity.”

BBARWA Approves Agreement With Member Agencies

Big Bear, Ca, June 2011, 3:00pm - The Big Bear Area Wastewater Agency board of directors met on June 22^nd for their regularly scheduled meeting.  Board members unanimously approved an agreement between BBARWA, Big Bear City Community Services District, the City of Big Bear Lake, and the County of San Bernardino regarding the payment and collection of the total annual charge and standby charge.  In the past, BBARWA has charged its member agencies by flow rate, and the new agreement will have BBARWA charging agencies by flow rate, and by equivalent dwelling unit, which will account for fixed costs, and variable costs.  The July BBARWA meeting has been adjourned, so the next meeting of the board of directors will be in August.

Notice Of Fees To Be Collected

Big Bear Lake, CA, June 9, 2011, 8:00am - A Notice Of Fees To Be Collected on your property tax roll was recently mailed to Big Bear Lake property owners. The courtesy notices are to let you know that there has been a change in the Sewer User Fee for Improved Parcels and the Refuse Fee for Unimproved/Vacant Parcels. The fees are collected on the property tax roll. City Of Big Bear Lake Sewer User Fees for Improved Parcels could be increased up to a maximum of $34.29 annually per average residence, but the rate may be less once finalized because the BBARWA portion of the rate increase has not yet been determined. The Refuse Fee for Unimproved/Vacant Parcels from Big Bear Disposal will increase 61 cents per residence per month. Questions should be directed to the City of Big Bear Lake Finance Department at 866-5831.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Update: Ollila Resigns From CSD Board

Big Bear, Ca, May 3, 2011, 12:00pm - At last night’s meeting of the Big Bear City Community Services District, Director Rick Ollila shocked the crowd when he resigned from his post as CSD Director.  The announcement came as a surprise to both board members and attendees of the meeting.  Earlier today KBHR spoke with Ollila and received a statement about why he resigned.  (Listen to audio story below for quote)  Jeff Newsome, who presided over Mondays meeting from out of town via phone, was as surprised by Ollila’s resignation and told KBHR that  “after years of Ollilla, Day and McDonalds majority rule that he never considered taking his ball and going home.” He went on to express disappointment in Director Ollila’s resignation, but he is determined that the current remaining CSD board members will quickly reorganize without Ollila. There is no word yet on how the CSD board will fill the empty position left by Ollila.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

CSD Director Rick Ollila Announced His Surprise Resignation

 Big Bear City, CA – May 2, 2011, 9:30 p.m. – Monday’s regular meeting of the Big Bear City Community Services District turned out to be anything but regular.  At the end of open session prior to entering closed session Director Rick Ollila announced his surprise resignation.  His words were then echoed by sounds of his disappointed followers attending the meeting. Then without further explanation Rick Ollila stepped down from the podium and stepped away from public life.  Ollila was elected in 2003 and served as president for many years until the 2010 election that then reshuffled the board with three new members Green, Smith and Terry.  Jeff Newsome now board president was the lone CSD incumbent reelected in 2010.  Jeff Newsome who presided over Mondays meeting from out of town via phone was as surprised by the resignation as well.  Later he told KBHR that after years of Ollilla, Day and McDonalds majority rule that he never considered taking his ball and going home. He went on to expressed disappointment in Director Ollilas resignation, but he is determined that the current remaining CSD board members will quickly reorganize without Ollila. Several options are available including board appointment, special election or wait for the next election.  Although Ollila made last minute swipes at CDS and BBARWA leadership as the reason for resigning many suspect that he may have had other personal reasons for his decision.  At this time Director Ollila as not available for comment.

Next Page »