RANCHO MURIETA, CA (MPG) - The Rancho Murieta Community Services District considered myriad issues in a five-hour meeting on April 15. A highlight was a resolution honoring Rod Hart, who is retiring as the longtime general manager of the Rancho Murieta Association. The board also revisited its draft Integrated Water Master Plan and took in staff reports, including a detailed financial update.

Additional stories in this issue cover four other topics discussed at the meeting: a proposal for more groundwater exploration, recent storm damage to CSD facilities, a culvert repair at the equestrian center, and upcoming changes to the security department.

The board unanimously approved a resolution recognizing Hart’s 45 years of service to the association.

Reading from the resolution, Board President John Merchant cited Hart’s “exceptional leadership, vision and dedication,” and said his work helped shape Rancho Murieta into a “safe, welcoming, vibrant” community.

Directors echoed that praise. Director Linda Butler said even a plaque or statue would not fully capture his contributions, while Director Tim Maybee said his impact will be long-lasting.

Hart, in brief remarks, credited volunteers and board members for the community’s success.

“It doesn’t happen without all of you,” he said, adding that from his own experience serving on boards, he appreciates the work of the CSD directors.

Another discussion on the district’s draft Integrated Water Master Plan came up with the agenda item seeking direction from the board.

Interim General Manager Amelia Wilder said the item was brought forward to determine how to proceed with completing the plan.

The discussion reflected ongoing divisions from the Improvements Committee. Director Randy Jenco said the plan should be completed and noted he still had “two pages” of unanswered questions, arguing it is needed to give the district a defensible legal position. Director Bill Gere favored bringing IWMP  consultant Lisa Maddaus back to address those questions.

Merchant suggested a meeting between Maddaus and Jim Farrell, who authored the IWMP work group report. The IWMP work group, formed in April 2025, reviewed the draft plan and issued its findings in August 2025.

Maybee also suggested seeking input from a new water attorney, while developer representative Jeff Pearson questioned why developers had not been included earlier.

Farrell explained that Merchant left developers out of the IWMP work group because it was intended to represent the community. Many felt developers had been manipulating the water studies and would “run us out of water.”

Farrell said his goal is a straightforward working session with Maddaus and bring back a report. 

“I'm not going to bring it back. She’s not going to bring it back. Lisa and I are going to bring something back,” he said.

The board ultimately voted 3-2 to move forward with a meeting between Farrell and Maddaus, with Merchant, Gere and Director Linda Butler in favor and Jenco and Maybee opposed.

Finance Director Cecilia Min reported the district is working to catch up on its financials, with plans to submit its 2023-24 and 2024-25 statements to the auditor in May.

She said reserves stood at about $5.2 million as of the end of February – a level she indicated is low relative to the district’s overall assets – but projected they could rise to about $7.1 million next year if the proposed budget is approved.

Min described the $3.4 million capital improvement plan for 2026-27 as a “wish list” that will be pared down at an upcoming Improvements Committee meeting. 

Min said the proposed 2026-27 administrative budget includes adding an accounting position and upgrading a technician to a staff accountant to address years of incomplete financial records.

As of February, the district showed an operating loss of about $163,000, which she said was offset by property tax revenue.

In other action, Merchant announced the district has selected a candidate for a water attorney and will begin contract negotiations with Jennifer Buckman of the Sacramento-based BKS Law Firm. Buckman has more than 20 years of experience in water, environmental and public agency law.

District Counsel Patrick Enright asked the board to revisit the role of the Administrative Oversight Subcommittee, noting that such committees are intended to be temporary. Merchant said the committee has evolved into a tool for more direct communication with Wilder, while Gere said it remains useful for staying informed. The board agreed to continue the committee for now while Wilder serves as interim general manager.

Director Randy Jenco reported the Water Vision subcommittee has not met since the last board meeting, but said members are waiting to work with a water attorney and reiterated their recommendation to move forward with the Dunn groundwater proposal.

Sgt. Brandon Arino reported attending a recent security conference, saying he was intrigued by a patrol robot on display but did not believe it would be practical for use in the district.

Maybee commended a letter from Nellie Bloom included in the board packet but, as is typical, not read aloud at the meeting. Bloom urged the board to prioritize improving public access to board and committee meetings, citing applicable law. She said the meetings are difficult to follow because of poor audio quality. 

“These are not minor inconveniences. They are real barriers to public participation,” she wrote.

Her recommendations included restoring Zoom or comparable live remote access, providing full written transcripts of meetings and improving the quality and reliability of audio recordings. 

“At least we now know what we have to do and what we don’t have to do,” Maybee said of her letter.