City Council to Consider DWP Board Representation from Outside Big Bear Lake

Big Bear Lake, CA — Department of Water and Power customers living outside the boundaries of the City of Big Bear Lake have long campaigned for representation on the DWP Board of Commissioners. In August 2009, the DWP Board made a recommendation that the City Council consider a change in residency requirements for commissioners, as roughly 40 percent of water customers for the agency reside outside the City, in Big Bear Valley areas including Fawnskin and Sugarloaf. In September, Council responded by forming a DWP Charter Amendment Subcommittee, as the City’s charter would need to be amended before appointees from outside the City could be considered for service on the DWP Board of Commissioners. These efforts will culminate this evening when, during the regular Big Bear Lake City Council meeting, the full Council will consider the expansion of appointment requirements as proposed by the sub-committee. This agenda item will take place during this evening’s 6:30pm meeting, to be held in Hofert Hall in the Big Bear Lake Civic Center. The March 8 meeting will also include a presentation from the League of California Cities Mountain Desert Division on the status of the state budget and its effects on local government funds.