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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Packet - Community Advisory Commission - 02/17/2026COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMISSION FEBRUARY 17, 2026 East Valley Water District was formed in 1954 and provides water and wastewater services to 107,000 residents within the cities of San Bernardino and Highland, and portions of San Bernardino County. EVWD operates under the direction of a 5­member elected Board. COMMISSIONERS Vacant Commissioner Jose Ibarra Commissioner Jeannie Lindberg Commissioner Judy Walsh Commissioner Dwayne Anthony Commissioner Byanka Velasco Commissioner Mark Falcone Commissioner William Ringland Public Affairs/Conservation Manager Community Advisory Commission Meeting February 17, 2026 ­ 6:00 PM 31111 Greenspot Road, Highland, CA 92346 www.eastvalleywater.gov PLEASE NOTE: Materials related to an item on this agenda submitted to the Board after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection in the District’s office located at 31111 Greenspot Rd., Highland, during normal business hours. Also, such documents are available on the District’s website at eastvalley.org and are subject to staff’s ability to post the documents before the meeting. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2(a), any request for a disability­related modification or accommodation, including auxiliary aids or services, that is sought in order to participate in the above agendized public meeting should be directed to the District Clerk at (909) 885­4900 at least 72 hours prior to said meeting. In order to comply with legal requirements for posting of agenda, only those items filed with the District Clerk by 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday prior to the following Wednesday meeting not requiring departmental investigation, will be considered by the Board of Directors. CALL TO ORDER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL OF BOARD MEMBERS PUBLIC COMMENTS Any person wishing to speak to the Board of Directors is asked to complete a Speaker Card and submit it to the District Clerk prior to the start of the meeting. Each speaker is limited to three (3) minutes, unless waived by the Chairman of the Board. Under the State of California Brown Act, the Board of Directors is prohibited from discussing or taking action on any item not listed on the posted agenda. The matter will automatically be referred to staff for an appropriate response or action and may appear on the agenda at a future meeting. APPROVAL OF CONSENT CALENDAR All matters listed under the Consent Calendar are considered by the Board of Directors to be routine and will be enacted in one motion. There will be no discussion of these items prior to the time the board considers the motion unless members of the board, the administrative staff, or the public request specific items to be discussed and/or removed from the Consent Calendar. 1.Approve the November 18, 2025 Community Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes 2.Approve the August 19, 2025 Community Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 3.Industry Benchmark Updates 4.5­Year Work Plan REPORTS 5.Commissioners’ Comments 6.Staff’s Comments ADJOURN COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMISSIONFEBRUARY 17, 2026East Valley Water District was formed in 1954 and provides water and wastewater services to107,000 residents within the cities of San Bernardino and Highland, and portions of SanBernardino County.EVWD operates under the direction of a 5­member elected Board.COMMISSIONERSVacantCommissioner Jose IbarraCommissionerJeannie LindbergCommissioner Judy WalshCommissionerDwayne AnthonyCommissioner Byanka VelascoCommissioner Mark Falcone Commissioner William Ringland Public Affairs/Conservation Manager Community Advisory Commission Meeting February 17, 2026 ­ 6:00 PM 31111 Greenspot Road, Highland, CA 92346 www.eastvalleywater.gov PLEASE NOTE: Materials related to an item on this agenda submitted to the Board after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection in the District’s office located at 31111 Greenspot Rd., Highland, during normal business hours. Also, such documents are available on the District’s website at eastvalley.org and are subject to staff’s ability to post the documents before the meeting. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2(a), any request for a disability­related modification or accommodation, including auxiliary aids or services, that is sought in order to participate in the above agendized public meeting should be directed to the District Clerk at (909) 885­4900 at least 72 hours prior to said meeting. In order to comply with legal requirements for posting of agenda, only those items filed with the District Clerk by 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday prior to the following Wednesday meeting not requiring departmental investigation, will be considered by the Board of Directors. CALL TO ORDER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL OF BOARD MEMBERS PUBLIC COMMENTS Any person wishing to speak to the Board of Directors is asked to complete a Speaker Card and submit it to the District Clerk prior to the start of the meeting. Each speaker is limited to three (3) minutes, unless waived by the Chairman of the Board. Under the State of California Brown Act, the Board of Directors is prohibited from discussing or taking action on any item not listed on the posted agenda. The matter will automatically be referred to staff for an appropriate response or action and may appear on the agenda at a future meeting. APPROVAL OF CONSENT CALENDAR All matters listed under the Consent Calendar are considered by the Board of Directors to be routine and will be enacted in one motion. There will be no discussion of these items prior to the time the board considers the motion unless members of the board, the administrative staff, or the public request specific items to be discussed and/or removed from the Consent Calendar. 1.Approve the November 18, 2025 Community Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes 2.Approve the August 19, 2025 Community Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 3.Industry Benchmark Updates 4.5­Year Work Plan REPORTS 5.Commissioners’ Comments 6.Staff’s Comments ADJOURN COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMISSIONFEBRUARY 17, 2026East Valley Water District was formed in 1954 and provides water and wastewater services to107,000 residents within the cities of San Bernardino and Highland, and portions of SanBernardino County.EVWD operates under the direction of a 5­member elected Board.COMMISSIONERSVacantCommissioner Jose IbarraCommissionerJeannie LindbergCommissioner Judy WalshCommissionerDwayne AnthonyCommissioner Byanka VelascoCommissionerMark FalconeCommissioner William RinglandPublic Affairs/Conservation ManagerCommunity Advisory Commission MeetingFebruary 17, 2026 ­ 6:00 PM31111 Greenspot Road, Highland, CA 92346www.eastvalleywater.govPLEASE NOTE:Materials related to an item on this agenda submitted to the Board after distribution of theagenda packet are available for public inspection in the District’s office located at 31111Greenspot Rd., Highland, during normal business hours. Also, such documents are availableon the District’s website at eastvalley.org and are subject to staff’s ability to post thedocuments before the meeting.Pursuant to Government Code Section 54954.2(a), any request for a disability­relatedmodification or accommodation, including auxiliary aids or services, that is sought in orderto participate in the above agendized public meeting should be directed to the District Clerkat (909) 885­4900 at least 72 hours prior to said meeting. In order to comply with legal requirements for posting of agenda, only those items filed with the District Clerk by 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday prior to the following Wednesday meeting not requiring departmental investigation, will be considered by the Board of Directors. CALL TO ORDER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL OF BOARD MEMBERS PUBLIC COMMENTS Any person wishing to speak to the Board of Directors is asked to complete a Speaker Card and submit it to the District Clerk prior to the start of the meeting. Each speaker is limited to three (3) minutes, unless waived by the Chairman of the Board. Under the State of California Brown Act, the Board of Directors is prohibited from discussing or taking action on any item not listed on the posted agenda. The matter will automatically be referred to staff for an appropriate response or action and may appear on the agenda at a future meeting. APPROVAL OF CONSENT CALENDAR All matters listed under the Consent Calendar are considered by the Board of Directors to be routine and will be enacted in one motion. There will be no discussion of these items prior to the time the board considers the motion unless members of the board, the administrative staff, or the public request specific items to be discussed and/or removed from the Consent Calendar. 1.Approve the November 18, 2025 Community Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes 2.Approve the August 19, 2025 Community Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 3.Industry Benchmark Updates 4.5­Year Work Plan REPORTS 5.Commissioners’ Comments 6.Staff’s Comments ADJOURN Agenda Item #1 February 17, 20261 Meeting Date: February 17, 2026 Agenda Item #1 Consent Item Regular Meeting TO: Commission Members FROM: Director of External Affairs & Customer Experience SUBJECT: Approve the November 18, 2025 Community Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes RECOMMENDATION That the Community Advisory Commission approve the November 18, 2025 meeting minutes. DISTRICT PILLARS AND STRATEGIES V - Community Engagement, Advocacy, and Leadership a. Utilize Effective Communication Methods to Foster Exceptional Community Relations FISCAL IMPACT There is no fiscal impact associated with this agenda item. Respectfully submitted: ________________ William Ringland Director of External Affairs & Customer Experience ATTACHMENTS 11/18/2025 Draft CAC minutes Page 1 of 1 2 3 7 9 Draft pending approval EAST VALLEY WATER DISTRICT November 18, 2025 COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMISSION MINUTES Agenda Item #2 February 17, 20261 Meeting Date: February 17, 2026 Agenda Item #2 Consent Item Regular Meeting TO: Commission Members FROM: Director of External Affairs & Customer Experience SUBJECT: Approve the August 19, 2025 Community Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes RECOMMENDATION That the Community Advisory Commission approve the August 19, 2025 meeting minutes. DISTRICT PILLARS AND STRATEGIES V - Community Engagement, Advocacy, and Leadership a. Utilize Effective Communication Methods to Foster Exceptional Community Relations FISCAL IMPACT There is no fiscal impact associated with this agenda item. Respectfully submitted: ________________ William Ringland Director of External Affairs and Customer Experience ATTACHMENTS 2025_08_19 Minutes Page 1 of 3 2 4 8 2 Draft pending approval EAST VALLEY WATER DISTRICT August 19, 2025 COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMISSION MINUTES PUBLIC COMMENTS APPROVAL OF AGENDA Page 2 of 3 2 4 8 2 APPROVAL OF CONSENT CALENDAR 1. Approve the May 20, 2025 Community Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes A motion was made by Commissioner Lindberg, seconded by Commissioner Falcone, that the Commission approve the Consent Calendar as submitted. The motion carried by the following: Ayes: Anthony, Falcone, Ibarra, Lindberg, Walsh Noes: None Absent: Velasco The Public Affairs/Conservation Manager provided a brief overview of the Program Strategy document, which outlines the framework used by the Public Affairs team to align its efforts with the District’s 5-Year Work Plan and overall organizational goals. He identified the District’s top three demographic groups and highlighted the importance of maintaining effective communication with these key audiences. The Public Affairs/Conservation Manager provided an overview of Public Affairs projects for this fiscal year, including the Crisis Communications Plan update, Facility Tour Program enhancements, Strategic Communications Plan, and Educational Augmented Reality Assessment and Development. The Public Affairs Supervisor provided a presentation highlighting additional public engagement activities conducted by the Public Affairs team, including traditional outreach methods such as bill inserts and community presentations, as well as digital platforms such as social media and email communications. Information only, no action required. The Director of Engineering and Operations provided an update on the Sterling Natural Resource Center (SNRC). He reported that the state-of-the-art facility is currently producing approximately 6.3 million gallons per day of recycled water, with the capacity to treat up to eight million gallons per day. He reviewed the treatment process and noted that, to accommodate increased flow and maintenance needs, construction has commenced on the installation of a fifth Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) filter train. Information only, no action required. Page 2 of 3 2 4 8 2 Page 3 of 3 2 4 8 2 COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS Mr. Anthony thanked staff for their presentations. Mr. Falcone thanked Mr. Noelte for his presentation. Mr. Ibarra thanked staff for their presentations and expressed his appreciation for their knowledge and expertise. Ms. Lindberg commended District staff for their extensive knowledge. Ms. Walsh thanked staff for the information presented this evening and commended staff for maintaining all District vehicles in excellent condition. Information only, no action required. The Public Affairs/Conservation Manager provided updates on the upcoming Conservation Workshop, the Community Facilities Tour, and distributed the Water Education Foundation Guide on Water Conservation. Information only, no action required. The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m. William Ringland Public Affairs/Conservation Manager Agenda Item #3 February 17, 20261 Meeting Date: February 17, 2026 Agenda Item #3 Informational Item Regular Meeting TO: Commission Members FROM: Finance Manager SUBJECT: Industry Benchmark Updates RECOMMENDATION This agenda item is for informational purposes only, no action is required. BACKGROUND / ANALYSIS East Valley Water District is committed to delivering exceptional service to its community, customers, and stakeholders. As part of its continuous improvement efforts, the District has established Industry Benchmarks that offer valuable insights into its performance relative to others in the industry. By leveraging these benchmarks, the District can enhance its operations, foster trust and transparency with stakeholders, and ensure that it continues to invest resources in building a safe and reliable public utility. The set of Industry Benchmarks have been developed to provide both the Governing Board and stakeholders a resource to assess various District functions including: Finance: •Operating Reserve Fund Target Level – This fund is maintained to cover unanticipated operating expenses and to support routine cash flow needs. The target balance is set at no less than 90 days and no more than 120 days of the District’s budgeted total operating expenses. The Operating Fund reserve met the maximum target of 120 days for Fiscal Year 2025, which equates to $13.97 million, with an ending balance of $13,979,954. •Capital Replacement Reserves – This reserve is established to fund the replacement of capital assets at the end of their useful lives. The target minimum balance is set at twice the five-year average of the District’s annual Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) budget, or $12.23 million. The reserve ended the fiscal year at $5 million, below the established target. Any excess revenues over expenditures at the close of Fiscal Year 2025 were allocated to this reserve. Overall, the District experienced an $860,443 reduction in unrestricted net position for the year. Agenda Item #3 February 17, 20262 Meeting Date: February 17, 2026 Agenda Item #3 Informational Item Operations: •Miles of Sewer Cleaned – The percentage of the District’s wastewater collection system cleaned annually. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Operation and Maintenance Fact Sheet recommends the minimal annual average cleaning of 30% of the total sewer collection system. The District’s Operations Department set a goal to clean at least 60% of the system and successfully achieved 62% during Fiscal Year 2025. •Main Line Leaks – This metric measures the condition of the water distribution system, expressed as the annual number of leaks per 100 miles of distribution piping. For Fiscal Year 2025, the District experienced 20 leaks per 100 miles, an improvement from 32 leaks in the prior year. While this remains above the industry standard, the reduction reflects progress in system maintenance efforts. A significant portion of leaks continues to be attributed to aging pipe materials, and the District has begun implementing its Mainline Replacement Program to proactively address this issue and enhance long-term system reliability. •Staffing Efficiencies – Provides a measure of employee efficiency as expressed by the total number of active accounts serviced by employees (as FTEs) per year. District neighboring agencies average 212 accounts per employee where the District handled 291 accounts per EVWD employee for FY 2024-25. Administration: •Water Affordability – This indicator measures the affordability of water service as a percentage of local Median Household Income (MHI), as reported by the District. The U.S. EPA recommends that the average cost of water not exceed 2.5% of MHI. For Fiscal Year 2025, the District maintained an affordability ratio well below the target at 1.05%, demonstrating continued commitment to providing high-quality water service at a reasonable cost to customers. Customer Engagement: •Average Customer Service Wait Time – Average time a caller must wait on hold before they can speak to an agent or Customer Service Representative during the reporting period. In Fiscal Year 2025 the average wait time increased slightly to 27 seconds from 20 seconds the prior year but is still well below the industry benchmark. Industry Benchmarks are incorporated in the annual budget document along with periodic presentations to the Governing Board. Agenda Item #3 February 17, 20263 Meeting Date: February 17, 2026 Agenda Item #3 Informational Item DISTRICT PILLARS AND STRATEGIES II - Sustainability, Transparency, and Accountability a. Uphold Transparent and Accountable Fiscal and Resource Management IV - Planning, Maintenance, and Preservation of District Resources d. Enhance Planning Efforts that Respond to Future Demands FISCAL IMPACT There is no fiscal impact associated with this agenda item. Respectfully submitted: ________________ Rudy Guerrero Finance Manager ATTACHMENTS Presentation INDUSTRY BENCHMARKS Rudy Guerrero, Finance Manager February 17, 2026 FY 2024-25 INDUSTRY BENCHMARKS 2 •Presented Annually •Measures Performance of Strategic Initiatives •Comparison Data Based on: •District goals •Industry guidelines •Neighboring water/wastewater agencies FINANCE 3 OPERATING RESERVE FUND 4 9 9 15 13 14 7 8 9 13 14 $0 $4 $8 $12 $16 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 Fiscal Year District-Wide Ending Operating Reserve Target Level Maximum CAPITAL REPLACEMENT RESERVE FUND 5 $10.0 $10.0 $10.0 $10.9 $12.2 $0 $2 $4 $6 $8 $10 $12 $14 $16 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 (M i l l i o n s ) Fiscal Year Restricted for Future Capital Expansion Projects at YE Target Reserve Balance OPERATIONS 6 SEWER PIPELINE MAINTENANCE 7 69% 94% 77%84% 62% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 Fiscal Year EPA Target WATER MAIN LEAKS 8 30 29 51 32 20 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 Fiscal Year AWWA Median STAFFING EFFICIENCIES 9 326 287 285 298 291 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 Em p l o y e e Fiscal Year Neighboring Agencies Average Accounts Per Employee WATER RATES 10 WATER AFFORDABILITY 11 1.2%1.2%1.1%1.1%1.0% 0.0% 0.5% 1.0% 1.5% 2.0% 2.5% 3.0% 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 vs . Fiscal Year CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT 12 CALL WAIT TIME 13 25 32 37 20 27 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 Fiscal Year AWWA Median Average Wait Time DISCUSSION Agenda Item #4 February 17, 20261 Meeting Date: February 17, 2026 Agenda Item #4 Informational Item Regular Meeting TO: Commission Members FROM: Director of External Affairs & Customer Experience SUBJECT: 5-Year Work Plan RECOMMENDATION This agenda item is for informational purposes only, no action is required. BACKGROUND / ANALYSIS East Valley Water District (District) provides critical services to the community of more than 108,000 residents and businesses. To maintain these services, it is essential to continue strategic planning efforts that anticipate needs, allocate resources, and support overall efficiency. The District maintains a 5-Year Work Plan to guide organization-wide discussions about upcoming activities. The 5-Year Work Plan is intended to identify projects and programs in a way that offers a clear understanding of organizational priorities over multiple years. Updated annually, the document creates an opportunity to consider the District’s needs while keeping the planning effort focused five years out in alignment with the Strategic Plan. As part of this collaborative process, the General Manager/CEO met with staff on a program-by- program basis to review leadership priorities, recent accomplishments, regulatory updates, and future programmatic needs. The results of these discussions have been incorporated into the FY 2026-27 5-Year Work Plan to support the budget planning process. Looking ahead over the next five years, the District remains focused on long-term infrastructure rehabilitation and replacement. Projects identified for FY 2026-27 emphasize evaluating existing infrastructure and systems to strengthen reliability, expand operational capacity, and enhance service delivery. The District will continue to advance key infrastructure improvement efforts, including strategic water main replacements, systematic valve replacements, broader use of data-driven tools such as the AMI platform and GIS system, and ongoing development of alternative energy resources. These initiatives underscore the District’s commitment to system reliability, resiliency, and efficiency. DISTRICT PILLARS AND STRATEGIES I - Effective Solutions Agenda Item #4 February 17, 20262 Meeting Date: February 17, 2026 Agenda Item #4 Informational Item a. Identify Opportunities to Optimize Natural Resources b. Encourage Performance Based Results through Staff Empowerment c. Maximize Internal Capabilities through Ongoing Professional Development d. Utilize Current Technology and Invest in Future Solutions II - Sustainability, Transparency, and Accountability a. Uphold Transparent and Accountable Fiscal and Resource Management b. Manage Energy Footprint and Consumption c. Pursue External Beneficial Funding Sources d. Develop a Resilient Local Water Supply III - Organizational Resiliency a. Advance Emergency Preparedness Efforts b. Promote a Positive Organizational Culture c. Provide Exceptional Customer Service d. Embrace an Environment of Active Learning and Knowledge Sharing IV - Planning, Maintenance, and Preservation of District Resources a. Develop Projects and Programs to Ensure Safe, Reliable, and Resilient Service b. Dedicate Efforts Toward System Maintenance and Modernization c. Utilize a Comprehensive Asset Management Approach d. Enhance Planning Efforts that Respond to Future Demands V - Community Engagement, Advocacy, and Leadership a. Utilize Effective Communication Methods to Foster Exceptional Community Relations b. Cultivate and Strengthen Collaborative Partnerships within the Water Industry c. Enhance Legislative Advocacy to Promote Water Security and Sustainability d. Provide Education Programming that Empowers the Community FISCAL IMPACT There is no fiscal impact associated with this agenda item. Agenda Item #4 February 17, 20263 Meeting Date: February 17, 2026 Agenda Item #4 Informational Item Respectfully submitted: ________________ William Ringland Director of External Affairs and Customer Experience ATTACHMENTS Presentation Adopted 5-Year Work Plan 5-YEAR WORK PLAN February 17, 2026 Michael Moore, General Manager/CEO 5-YEAR WORK PLAN FUNCTION 2 •Anticipate Programmatic Needs •Prioritize Resource Allocation •Ensure Maximum Operational Efficiency •Serve as a Guide for the Budget Development •Develop Organizational Clarity on District Priorities STRATEGIC PLANNING ELEMENTS 3 DISTRICT PILLARS 4 Effective Solutions Sustainability, Transparency, and Accountability Planning, Maintenance, and Preservation of District Resources Organizational Resiliency Community Engagement, Advocacy, and Leadership DISTRICT PILLARS 5 Effective Solutions Sustainability, Transparency, and Accountability Planning, Maintenance, and Preservation of District Resources Organizational Resiliency Community Engagement, Advocacy, and Leadership EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS 6 Data Analytics Evaluate Enterprise Financial Software EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS 7 Goal Fiscal Year Timing 26-27 27-28 28-29 29-30 30-31 Update Water Shortage Contingency Plan  City Creek Water Company Dissolution  Develop and Implement SCADA Resiliency Program  Evaluate Enterprise Financial Software  Electronic Personnel Files  DISTRICT PILLARS 8 Effective Solutions Sustainability, Transparency, and Accountability Planning, Maintenance, and Preservation of District Resources Organizational Resiliency Community Engagement, Advocacy, and Leadership SUSTAINABILITY, TRANSPARENCY, AND ACCOUNTABILITY Expand Electronic Billing Construct Groundwater Wells 9 SUSTAINABILITY, TRANSPARENCY, AND ACCOUNTABILITY Goal Fiscal Year Timing 26-27 27-28 28-29 29-30 30-31 Customer Autopayments and Paperless Billing  Construct Three New Wells  Cost of Service Analysis / Rate Study  Review Investment Management Services  Implement GASB 103 Financial Reporting Standards  10 DISTRICT PILLARS 11 Effective Solutions Sustainability, Transparency, and Accountability Planning, Maintenance, and Preservation of District Resources Organizational Resiliency Community Engagement, Advocacy, and Leadership ORGANIZATIONAL RESILIENCY Leak Alert Customization Update Employee MOU 12 ORGANIZATIONAL RESILIENCY Goal Fiscal Year Timing 26-27 27-28 28-29 29-30 30-31 New MOU Negotiation  Develop and Implement Comprehensive Succession Plan  Evaluate Mobile Customer Solutions  Crisis Communication Training  Establish a Regional Issue Management Coalition  13 DISTRICT PILLARS 14 Effective Solutions Sustainability, Transparency, and Accountability Planning, Maintenance, and Preservation of District Resources Organizational Resiliency Community Engagement, Advocacy, and Leadership PLANNING, MAINTENANCE, AND PRESERVATION OF DISTRICT RESOURCES Goal Fiscal Year Timing 26-27 27-28 28-29 29-30 30-31 Construct Two Monitoring Wells  Plant 134 Process Improvements  Water Main Replacement Program  Comply with EV Fleet Regulations  Improve Power Reliability at SNRC  15 PLANNING, MAINTENANCE, AND PRESERVATION OF DISTRICT RESOURCES SNRC Power Reliability Water Main Replacement 16 DISTRICT PILLARS 17 Effective Solutions Sustainability, Transparency, and Accountability Planning, Maintenance, and Preservation of District Resources Organizational Resiliency Community Engagement, Advocacy, and Leadership COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, ADVOCACY, AND LEADERSHIP Goal Fiscal Year Timing 26-27 27-28 28-29 29-30 30-31 Water Education Program Enhancements  Community Advisory Commission Member Appointment  75th Anniversary  Develop Strategic Communications Plan  Digital Experience Enhancements  18 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, ADVOCACY, AND LEADERSHIP Water Education Program Strategic Communications Plan 19 DISCUSSION L E A D E R S H I P | P A R T N E R S H I P | S T E W A R D S H I P 5-YEARWORK PLAN Highland, California S T R A T E G I C P L A N N I N G D O C U M E N T Fiscal Year 2026-27 Brian Tompkins Chief Financial Officer Jeff Noelte Director of Engineering & Operations Justine Hendricksen District Clerk Kerrie Bryan Director of Administrative Services Manny Moreno Water Reclamation Manager Patrick Milroy Operations Manager Ryan Ritualo IT Manager William Ringland Public Affairs/Conservation Manager District Leadership Management 210 210 santa an a r i v e r sant a a n a r i v e r plun g e c r e e k plunge creek eld e r c r e e k cit y c r e e k city c r e e k sa n d c r e e k tw i n c r e e k tw i n c r e e k warm cr e e k cook creek mill c r e e k N San Bernardino SNRC Highland DistrictHeadquarters Seven Oaks Dam District Headquarters 31111 Greenspot Road Highland, CA 92346 Sterling Natural Resource Center (SNRC) 25318 5th Street San Bernardino, CA 92410 Locations 5-Year Work Plan | pg. 2 James Morales, Jr. Chairman of the Board Ronald L. Coats Vice Chairman of the Board David E. Smith Governing Board Member Chris Carrillo Governing Board Member Phillip R. Goodrich Governing Board Member Michael Moore, P.E. General Manager/CEO 04 Introduction 06 Workflow Strategic Planning Workflow Strategic Plan 06 District Vision, Mission 07 Core Values 07 District Pillars & Strategies 09 5-Year Look Ahead I. Effective Solutions II. Sustainability, Transparency, and Accountability III. Organizational Resiliency IV. Planning, Maintenance, and Preservation of District Resources V. Community Engagement, Advocacy, and Leadership 22 Conclusion 23 Program Definitions Table of Contents East Valley Water District | pg. 3 UPDATED ANNUALLY The 5-Year Work Plan is designed to enhance the ability of the District to prepare for the future while addressing the needs of today. Updated annually, this is part of a strategic approach to identify where resources need to be committed. 5-Year Work Plan | pg. 4 East Valley Water District | pg. 5 Purpose Through ongoing collaboration among the Governing Board, staff, and community members, the District continues to shape a shared vision for a resilient and well-prepared organization. Operating a water and wastewater system involves many complex and evolving responsibilities, making it essential to plan ahead, prioritize resources, and manage projects with careful stewardship. This approach helps the District meet daily operational needs while preparing for long-term system demands. The District adopted its current Strategic Plan in 2024, which outlines the Vision and Mission Statements, Core Values, and the Pillars and Strategies that guide organizational direction. The 5-Year Work Plan supports that framework by extending planning efforts beyond a single budget cycle and helping identify and prioritize work that aligns with the Strategic Plan. The Plan considers ongoing planning cycles, regulatory requirements, budgets, multi-year projects, and other essential actions needed to support the District’s goals. This process strengthens resource planning across the organization, including funding, staffing, professional services, and capital projects. While planning is vital to maintaining high standards of service, it must also balance day-to-day operations and allow flexibility to address emerging needs or external factors that may arise. The Plan is updated each year to add an additional planning horizon, ensuring the District is consistently looking five years ahead. It also serves as a foundational tool in developing the District’s annual budget and long-term decision-making. East Valley Water District remains dedicated to delivering safe and reliable drinking water and wastewater services to the community. 5-Year Work Plan | pg. 6 Strategic planning efforts are dynamic. They are designed to allow the organization to prepare for large undertakings in future years, while addressing daily needs. Strategic Planning Workflow The elements identified to the right ensure a process of preparation and growth. This process is intended to foster communication throughout the District along with community stakeholders and residents. By visualizing the interconnected nature of activities, staff has a clear understanding of their role within the organization and how each element contributes to the Strategic Plan. The timing of these measures can be organized into ongoing, annual, intermediate, and long-term. STRATEGIC PLAN Vision Mission 5-Year Work Plan Core Values Pillars & Strategies BRIDGE MEASURES PERFORMANCE MEASURES Industry Benchmarks Budget Individual Performance Goals Daily Operations District Vision East Valley Water District aspires to be a beacon of excellence and innovation within the water industry. Through visionary leadership, we strive for a sustainable, transparent, and accountable future. District Mission Provide our community with exceptional water and wastewater services by prioritizing sustainability, efficiency, innovation, and ongoing collaboration. East Valley Water District | pg. 7 Core Values Inspiring people to improve our community and advance water resources. LEADERSHIP Developing relationships through collaboration and shared responsibility. PARTNERSHIP Protecting our community’s resources, now and in the future. STEWARDSHIP 5-Year Work Plan | pg. 8 District Pillars & Strategies The following pillars and strategies reflect the District's commitment to responsible management and service to the community. Pillar One: Effective Solutions Identify Opportunities to Optimize Natural Resources Encourage Performance Based Results through Staff Empowerment Maximize Internal Capabilities Through Ongoing Professional Development Utilize Current Technology and Invest in Future Solutions Pillar Two: Sustainability, Transparency, and Accountability Uphold Transparent and Accountable Fiscal and Resource Management Manage Energy Footprint and Consumption Pursue External Beneficial Funding Sources Develop a Resilient Local Water Supply Pillar Three: Organizational Resiliency Advance Emergency Preparedness Efforts Promote a Positive Organizational Culture Provide Exceptional Customer Service Embrace an Environment of Active Learning and Knowledge Sharing Pillar Four: Planning, Maintenance, and Preservation of District Resources Develop Projects and Programs to Ensure Safe, Reliable, and Resilient Service Dedicate Efforts Toward System Maintenance and Modernization Utilize a Comprehensive Asset Management Approach Enhance Planning Efforts that Respond to Future Demands Pillar Five: Community Engagement, Advocacy, and Leadership Utilize Effective Communication Methods to Foster Exceptional Community Relations Cultivate and Strengthen Collaborative Partnerships within the Water Industry Enhance Legislative Advocacy to Promote Water Security and Sustainability Provide Education Programming that Empowers the Community East Valley Water District | pg. 9 5-YEAR PROJECTS LOOK AHEAD 5-Year Work Plan | pg. 10 Goal Description Program Lead Fiscal Year 26/27 27/28 28/29 29/30 30/31 Digitize Conservation Rebate Applications Digitize the District’s conservation rebate application process to improve efficiency, accessibility, and tracking for both customers and staff. Conservation ●● Nonfunctional Turf Ordinance Update To comply with State regulations, staff will update the District's 403 ordinance in order to mandate the removal of nonfunctional turf. Conservation ● Commercial, Industrial, and Institution (CII) Nonfunctional Turf Resource Development Engage the CII community on non- functional turf (NFT) requirements. Develop educational materials, website content, and HOA workshops to support compliance with State regulations and promote water-efficient landscaping. Conservation ●●● DIM/SLA Landscape Area Measurement Conduct the Dedicated Irrigation Meter (DIM) and Special Landscape Area (SLA) measurement assessment to comply with the State's Water Use Efficiency Objectives. Conservation ●● Update Water Shortage Contingency Plan Review and update the District's adopted Water Shortage Contingency Plan as required every five years. Conservation ●● Identify Tools and Resources Accessible in Tyler Cloud Identify modules/capabilities that would be available if the District migrates to a hosted version of Tyler. Develop timeline for adoption of new capabilities. Customer Service ●● Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) Review and update the UWMP in accordance with regulations. Engineering ● City Creek Water Company Dissolution Work with legal counsel to dissolve the City Creek Mutual Water Company with the remaining shareholder. General Administration ●● Organizational Administrative Review Assess and review the District's processes, systems, staffing and regulations. General Administration ●●●●● Electronic Personnel Files Develop a plan for converting personnel files to electronic format and implement this plan to improve accessibility, and reduce physical storage needs, supporting a more sustainable and secure HR operation. Human Resources ●● Effective Solutions Create innovative, efficient, and strategic approaches to achieve the District’s goals and meet any challenge. Prioritize resources, foster the professional development of employees, and embrace new technology driving innovation. East Valley Water District | pg. 11 Goal Description Program Lead Fiscal Year 26/27 27/28 28/29 29/30 30/31 Develop Permitting Module Create a new permitting process for Engineering in asset management. Information Technology ● Develop and Implement SCADA Resiliency Program Replace outdated Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) equipment and radios. Information Technology ●●●● IT Master Plan Update Update the IT Master Plan to identify needs/priorities to maintain the District’s CIS Servers and Firewalls. Information Technology ● District Security Camera Assessment Implement new camera system at key sites. Information Technology ●● Develop and Implement Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) Reduce computer refreshment cost and increase replacement schedule by implementing virtual desktops for staff. Information Technology ●● Update Access Control to District Sites Refresh all access control technology due to end-of-life policy. Information Technology ●● SCADA Enhancements at SNRC Develop plan to update SCADA technology at the SNRC. Information Technology ●● Data Analytics for SCADA Implement software to export SCADA Data to a centralized reporting system for Water Production. Information Technology ●● Geographic Information System (GIS) Public Portal for Pressure Zones Implement a GIS public portal that displays the District’s pressure zones, providing customers and partners with accessible, easy-to-understand system information. Information Technology ●● Institute Artificial intelligence (AI) Capabilities to Existing Systems Develop and implement an AI- based solution to improve reporting and access to operational data. Identify opportunities where AI can streamline information retrieval, support analysis, and strengthen decision-making across District functions. Information Technology ●●●● Implement GIS Mapping Portal to Identify Fixed Assets Implement a GIS portal to collectively gather all Fixed Assets information on a GIS layer. Information Technology ● Develop Analytics Dashboard in GIS Develop analytics dashboards within GIS to track preventative maintenance, corrective maintenance, main breaks, and repair activities. Information Technology ●● Evaluate Enterprise Financial Software Develop a plan to transition Tyler Financials to a cloud-hosted platform. Information Technology ●● Migrate Phone System to New Provider Migrate the District’s phone system to Session Initiated Protocol (SIP) trunk routing through the Cisco platform. Information Technology ● P I L L A R O N E Goal Description Program Lead Fiscal Year 26/27 27/28 28/29 29/30 30/31 Update Boardroom Technology Identify Boardroom technology that has reached end-of-life and develop a plan for replacement. Information Technology ●● Update SNRC Banquet Hall Technology Identify technology in the SNRC Banquet Hall that has reached end-of-life and develop a plan for upgrades. Information Technology ●● Customer Billing Assess the customer bill and determine e-billing outreach campaigns. Conduct a review and refresh on the District's billing documents. Public Affairs ●● Industry Coalition Engagements/ Partnerships Develop a strategy to engage with water reclamation regional coalitions, including WateReuse, CWEA, and AWWA. Water Reclamation ●●●●● Utilize a Comprehensive Asset Management Approach Work with IT to fully develop the asset management program. Continue to utilize the system and generate useful asset reporting. Water Reclamation ●●●● 5-Year Work Plan | pg. 12 P I L L A R O N E East Valley Water District | pg. 13 Goal Description Program Lead Fiscal Year 26/27 27/28 28/29 29/30 30/31 Indoor Residential Standard Reduction District to reduce the indoor residential water budget to 42 GPCD to meet State regulations. Conservation ● Water Data Access Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Enhance utilization of AMI data to provide a resource that empowers customers to proactively reduce water waste prior to receiving inefficiency tier charges. Customer Service ● Customer Autopayments and Paperless Billing Assess the District’s approach to customer autopay and paperless billing. Identify opportunities to improve adoption, and support a smooth customer experience. Customer Service ●●● Facility Alternative Energy Sources Conduct an analysis and recommendation for the District to strategically construct alternative energy generation to offset electricity costs. Engineering ● Construct Three New Wells Identify site, design, and drill a new well in the lower, middle and upper zones. Engineering ●●●●● Wastewater Rate Occupancy Review Evaluate the inclusion of household occupancy data in wastewater rate calculations to ensure equitable and accurate billing based on customer usage. Finance ●● Financing Opportunities for Capital Improvements Consider alternatives for new capital financing needs, including issuing new debt. Finance ●● Review Existing 2020 Bonds for Potential Refinancing Review rates with Financial Advisors and conduct analysis to determine if capital markets favor a refinancing in October 2030. Finance ●● Cost of Service Analysis / Rate Study Establish rates based on current costs for all utility services. Finance ●● Tyler Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Software Review Assessment of the District’s current Tyler ERP and review potential enhancements of the platform. Finance ● Sustainability, Transparency, and Accountability Responsibly manage resources while maintaining open communication and fiscal integrity. Actively build sustainable programs, maintain transparent operations, and open accountability to the community. 5-Year Work Plan | pg. 14 Goal Description Program Lead Fiscal Year 26/27 27/28 28/29 29/30 30/31 Internal Contract Assessment Conduct internal assessment of the contract compliance and RFP posting process. Identify solutions for procurement and purchasing in compliance with District's policies. Finance ● Biennial Financial Budget Assess feasibility of transitioning from an annual financial budget to a biennial document. Determine related District documents, plans, and reports that will need to be updated as part of the transition. Finance ●● Review Investment Management Services Review and assess the current investment strategy to determine if any updates are needed. Finance ● Fraud Prevention Policy Review Assess the District's fraud prevention policy and determine updates necessary to ensure continued transparency and efficiency. Finance ● Close-out of Arroyo Verde Assessment District Review bank balances, reserves held by state, and assessment schedules to ensure only the amount needed to close out the state loan is collected on the final assessment in July 2030. Finance ●● Implement GASB 103 Financial Reporting Standards Review and implement financial GASB 103 reporting standards. Finance ● Elections/Board Members Board Member Elections and orientation for new directors. General Administration ●●● Optimize Agenda Management Platform Review the current agenda management platform and determine if new features or upgrades are necessary to improve the user experience. The upgrades can include a Board voting module, minutes dictation, and board portal. General Administration ● Document Management Scan and digitize documents and microfilm into the District’s electronic repository in accordance with adopted Records Retention Policy. Enhance document management process and features for document retrieval. General Administration ●●●●● Electronic File Management Training Train departments on the process/ standards of classifying files in accordance with the records retention policy. Implement training for AI technology once the functionality has been added to the platform. General Administration ●● P I L L A R T W O East Valley Water District | pg. 15 Goal Description Program Lead Fiscal Year 26/27 27/28 28/29 29/30 30/31 Identify and Evaluate Real Property Assets Develop and maintain procedures to declare properties for surplus. Prepare and process surplus property documents in accordance with the California Surplus Land Act and related state regulations. General Administration ●●● Disposing of Surplus Parcels Identify properties across the District for disposal and sale.Operations ●●● P I L L A R T W O 5-Year Work Plan | pg. 16 Goal Description Program Lead Fiscal Year 26/27 27/28 28/29 29/30 30/31 Evaluate Mobile Customer Solutions Review mobile applications available for payments and customer service solutions. Customer Service ●● Leak Alert Customization Create customized leak alerts and over-budget usage notifications to help customers track their water consumption. Customer Service ● Community Heritage and Education Foundation (CHEF) Assessment Determine the direction and activities of CHEF. General Administration ● Enhance Emergency Preparedness Training Program Develop an emergency preparedness training program and prepare employees to follow plans established by the District. Human Resources ● New Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Negotiation Negotiate a 3-year MOU before the current MOU expires, and ensure that agreed-upon salaries, benefits, and related programs are implemented as adopted. Human Resources ●● Develop and Implement Comprehensive Succession Plan Review and update a succession plan tailored to the District's needs, audit existing plan and identify gaps. Human Resources ● Crisis Communication Training Develop, exercise, and implement annual training program following a new crisis communication plan. Public Affairs ● New Customer Welcome Packets Overhaul the District's customer welcome packets to better showcase services provided by the District and conservation resources available. Public Affairs ●● Customer Experience Assessment Audit and review the customer experience and identify enhancements necessary to better communicate and improve the experience. Public Affairs ●● Develop Leak Notification Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Develop a Leak Notification SOP to establish a process for timely community notifications related to District work. Public Affairs ● Establish a Regional Issue Management Coalition Establish coalitions with regional partners to generate interest in regional concerns and emergency assistance. Water Reclamation ● Organizational Resiliency Prepare, adapt, and respond to challenges facing the District through a visionary organization. Build a strong internal framework to prioritize emergency preparedness, exceptional customer service, and a positive workplace culture. Goal Description Program Lead Fiscal Year 26/27 27/28 28/29 29/30 30/31 Construct Two Monitoring Wells Construct water monitoring wells near Plant 40 for recycled water recharge testing. Engineering ● Pipeline Replacement Program Develop a pipeline replacement schedule to replace necessary pipelines to promote ongoing system maintenance. Engineering ● Plant 101 Rehabilitation Retrofit and upgrade the water facilities at Plant 101.Engineering ● Plant 134 Process Improvements Evaluate operational adjustments, solids residual disposal and preliminary treatment improvements in order to maximize the surface water treatment capabilities of Plant 134. Engineering ●● Water and Sewer System Master Plans Review the current Water and Sewer Master Plans and identify any necessary updates needed. Update the documents accordingly to ensure these can be used for planning efforts, including cost of service analysis and emergency response documents. Engineering ●● Water Reservoir Rehabilitation Program Rehabilitate the District’s water storage reservoirs. Engineering ●●●●● Grant Funded Pipeline Replacement Projects Execute two grant-funded water main replacement projects (seismic retrofit; 6.5 miles each). Engineering ●●● Install and Refresh District Storage Area Network Install and refresh the District’s Storage Area Network, expanding capacity as needed to support operational demands. Information Technology ●● Next Gen Firewalls Install and refresh next-generation firewalls that have reached end- of-life to maintain security and compliance. Information Technology ●● Wireless Internet Appliances Install and refresh wireless internet appliances that have reached end-of- life to maintain reliable connectivity and compliance. Information Technology ●● Site Security and Improvements Increase perimeter security of satellite facilities and access controls to improve aesthetics/security. Operations ●●●● Planning, Maintenance, and Preservation of District Resources Focus on the long-term stewardship of the District’s infrastructure and resources to ensure reliable service and be proactive in planning, ongoing maintenance, and modernization to meet the community’s current and future needs. East Valley Water District | pg. 17 Goal Description Program Lead Fiscal Year 26/27 27/28 28/29 29/30 30/31 Water Main Replacement Program Repair and replacement of linear assets due to age, corrosion, or leak history. Operations ●●● Plant 134 Membranes Replacements Replacement of five membrane trains at Plant 134.Operations ●●●● Plant 101 Site Drainage and Fencing Improvements After the completion of the 101 rehab, construct site drainage and fencing into the plant. Operations ● Install Altitude Valve at Plant 33 Install an altitude valve to allow for greater pumping flexibility throughout the westside of the District. Operations ● Stationary Generators at Plants 39 and 151 Install emergency backup power generators at Plant 39 and 151 to provide improved service reliability in during power outages. Operations ●● Install SCADA Communication on Pressure Reducing Value (PRV) stations Install PRV communication-enabled pressure gauges at stations throughout the system to monitor pressure spikes across the service area. Operations ● Evaluate Hydro Tanks Evaluate the hydro tank at Plant 34 to assess its condition, performance, and long-term reliability. Operations ● Comply with Electric Vehicle Fleet Regulations Install new chargers and replace fleet with electric equipment. Operations ●●●●● Santa Ana River Sanitary Watershed Survey Update and conduct the Santa Ana River Sanitary survey every five years. Operations ● Update Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plans for Plant 134 & SNRC Update the SPCC Plans for Plant 134 and the SNRC as part of the required five-year review cycle. Assess current conditions, incorporate regulatory changes, and ensure the plans continue to reflect accurate procedures for spill prevention and response. Operations ● Headquarters Facility Update Update the internal artwork and design elements throughout District headquarters to create a refreshed and welcoming environment for staff and visitors. Public Affairs ●●● Evaluate Feasibility of Salt Mitigation Partner with regional coalitions and identify an approach to assess the needs for salt mitigation in the region. Water Reclamation ●●●●● P I L L A R F O U R 5-Year Work Plan | pg. 18 Goal Description Program Lead Fiscal Year 26/27 27/28 28/29 29/30 30/31 Improve Power Reliability at SNRC Improve the power plan at the SNRC to ensure reliable plant operations through Southern California Edison. Evaluate circuit performance, preferred energy service options, and overall grid reliability to identify upgrades that strengthen the facility’s long-term power stability. Water Reclamation ●●●● Odor Control System Improvements Improve the odor control system by installing a dedicated food-waste odor control line and completing facility upgrades within the Solids Handling Building. Water Reclamation ●● Evaluate Dewatering and Solids Thickening Processes Research cost-effective equipment options to improve solids thickening and dewatering, including belt presses, rotary drum thickeners, and gravity belt thickeners. Water Reclamation ●● Biosolids Management Plan Conduct an assessment of alternative biosolids use options in collaboration with regional partners. Evaluate feasibility, regulatory considerations, and long-term benefits to determine viable pathways for future biosolids management. Water Reclamation ●● Natural Gas Pipeline Injection Evaluate converting digester gas to renewable natural gas for pipeline injection. Water Reclamation ●●● Digester Process and Mechanical Improvements Improve digester reliability through process and equipment replacement and upgrades, including purchasing a boiler and sludge piping improvements. Water Reclamation ●●● East Valley Water District | pg. 19 P I L L A R F O U R 5-Year Work Plan | pg. 20 Goal Description Program Lead Fiscal Year 26/27 27/28 28/29 29/30 30/31 Conservation Rebate Program Enhancements Enhance rebate programs to maximize customer water savings through the development of new rebate opportunities. Conservation ●● Water Education Program Enhancements Develop a roadmap to enhance water education to students within the District's community. Identify opportunities to conduct classroom presentations, assemblies, and the feasibility of an operations showcase. Conservation ●●●● Community Advisory Commission Member Appointment Conduct a community recruitment process and subsequent commission onboarding/training to fill vacancies resulting from the term limits of sitting members. Public Affairs ●●● Community Engagement Enhancements Enhance community engagement through increased in-person activities, develop targeted outreach campaigns surrounding the SNRC and explore the use of technologically based communications tools for residents. Public Affairs ● 75th Anniversary Celebrate the District's 75th anniversary and showcase the many years of service provided to the community. Public Affairs ●●● Facility Rental Assessment Assess the District's usage of the facility rental program and the overall impact on facility resources. Public Affairs ● Community Influencer Engagement Actively engage with community groups, HOAs, and informal neighborhood organizations to develop relationships with the "informal" community leaders. Public Affairs ●● Develop Strategic Communications Plan Create and implement a Strategic Communications Plan to effectively engage with the community and highlight the District's strategic initiatives. Public Affairs ● Assess and Enhance Facility Tour Program Monitor and assess the District's Facility Tour Program. Create and test alternative tour program features such as tours on Saturdays, virtual tour options, and educational program material. Public Affairs ●● Community Engagement, Advocacy, and Leadership Build strong local and regional partnerships furthering the District’s priorities and advocating on behalf of the District’s community. Foster solid community relationships through effective, informative, and educational communication. Goal Description Program Lead Fiscal Year 26/27 27/28 28/29 29/30 30/31 Educational Augmented Reality (AR) Assessment and Development Explore innovative use of AR to allow members of the public to learn about the District's water and wastewater systems. Assess the feasibility and use case of incorporating such technology into the program. Public Affairs ● Mainline Replacement/CIP Outreach Engage with the community regarding mainline replacement projects and other Capital Improvement Program initiatives. Public Affairs ●●●●● Educational Displays Assess and refine opportunities to provide educational displays throughout the District. Explore the development of displays on community vehicles and informational signage at demonstration sites. Public Affairs ●● Customer Community Survey Conduct a comprehensive community survey every five years to measure customer satisfaction and priorities, and use the results to inform District planning and communications. Public Affairs ● Digital Experience Enhancements Implement an AI chat feature on the District website to help customers find answers, request services, and navigate forms. Pilot the tool, evaluate response quality and accessibility, and assess the viability of expanding to a live customer service chat feature. Public Affairs ● Holiday Lobby/ Exterior Décor Assessment Review the District’s holiday decorations and evaluate whether a change in vendor or decorating approach is needed to enhance presentation and efficiency. Public Affairs ●● Industry Coalition Engagements/ Partnerships Develop a strategy to engage with water reclamation regional coalitions, including WateReuse, CWEA, and AWWA. Water Reclamation ●●●●● P I L L A R F I V E East Valley Water District | pg. 21 5-Year Work Plan | pg. 22 Conclusion The 5-Year Work Plan reflects East Valley Water District’s ongoing commitment to its Vision of fostering a sustainable, transparent, and accountable future. By aligning projects and programs with the Strategic Plan’s Vision, Mission, Core Values, and Pillars and Strategies, this document ensures that new initiatives contribute to providing safe and reliable water and wastewater services for the community. As a living document, the 5-Year Work Plan will continue to evolve annually, adapting to new challenges and opportunities while remaining grounded in the priorities outlined in the Strategic Plan. This approach allows the District to remain proactive in addressing both immediate and long-term needs, ensuring thoughtful resource allocation, stewardship, and effective operational management. These efforts position East Valley Water District to meet the needs of today while planning responsibly for tomorrow. East Valley Water District | pg. 23 Program Descriptions CONSERVATION Conservation is responsible for overseeing programs that facilitate and encourage sustainable water use throughout the District. Additionally, this program is responsible for communicating conservation benchmarks to various regulatory agencies, tracking and monitoring legislative affairs, and advocating on behalf of the District’s legislative platform. CUSTOMER SERVICE Customer Service provides the community with prompt, courteous, and exceptional customer relations through billing and collection functions. ENGINEERING The Engineering Program responsibilities include infrastructure planning, maintaining a safe and reliable water supply, and ensuring compliance with Federal and State regulations. The Program oversees wastewater and water treatment capital projects. FINANCE Finance and Accounting create, monitor and audit all revenue and expenses for the District. This includes evaluating rates and creating an annual budget. GENERAL ADMINISTRATION General Administration is responsible for ensuring the District’s business, operations, and daily activities are performed following Federal, State, and District Board approved policies. The General Manager/CEO provides daily oversight for interagency relations for advancing the District’s initiatives. HUMAN RESOURCES Human Resources is responsible for administering programs to attract and retain a diverse and qualified workforce. This program also oversees the District’s safety program to ensure staff maintain a safe work environment. Additionally, this program is responsible for managing the District’s Pathway and Risk Management programs. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Information Technology oversees the District’s technology infrastructure to support essential business and operational functions. The functions utilize industry- specific software programs required to meet agency needs. The Program implements routine cybersecurity training campaigns to mitigate financial and data loss. OPERATIONS Operations is responsible and oversees the Meter Services, Water Production, Water Treatment, Water Quality, Water Maintenance, Wastewater Maintenance, Facilities Maintenance and Fleet Maintenance programs at East Valley Water District. For the purposes of the 5-Year Work Plan, these programs have been combined into an Operations category. Many of these programs are responsible for the day-to-day world-class service provided by the District and do not encounter major capital adjustment fluctuations with the planning of the program’s duties. PUBLIC AFFAIRS Public Affairs oversees internal and external communication initiatives in alignment with the District’s Vision, Mission, and guiding principles. Through proactive community engagement and media relations, the Program provides strategic communications to all stakeholders, including residents, community partners, and regional agencies. The Program leads key support functions such as grant writing, crisis communications, and the management of facility rental program. WATER RECLAMATION The Water Reclamation Program is responsible for treating and disinfecting up to eight million gallons of wastewater per day (MGD) at the District’s new water recycling plant known as the Sterling Natural Resource Center (SNRC). The SNRC operations include anaerobic digestion for energy generation to offset the cost of power needed to operate the plant. eastvalleywater.gov