GCSD Pay And Rates Response
Factual Information About the GCSD Fiscal Responsibility and Board Compensation
We understand that proposed water and sewer rate increases are an important issue in our community, and we appreciate all those who have taken time to engage in the conversation. The proposed adjustments are necessary to ensure the sustainability and reliability of our services. Our infrastructure is aging, and the costs associated with operating and maintaining these systems have increased. The proposed rate adjustments are designed to address these challenges while maintaining fair and equitable rates.
1. The Facts About Board Compensation
At its June 10 meeting, the Groveland Community Services District (GCSD) Board of Directors approved an increase in compensation of just under $6 per meeting. This adjustment strictly follows California Government Code §61047, which limits such increases to no more than 5% per meeting day, and only once per year through a public vote.
Importantly, this is not a salary. Directors are only compensated when they attend official meetings, with a state-mandated cap of six compensated meetings per month. The compensation serves as a modest reimbursement for the time directors spend preparing for and participating in meetings, completing training, and performing governance responsibilities, much of which occurs outside of public view.
The new per-meeting rate of $121.54 remains well below the maximum allowed by law and is in line with what board members earn in other similarly sized special districts.
To put this into perspective, the total compensation for all 5 board members for the entire year totaled:
- FY 2023–2024 total board compensation: $11,843.88
- FY 2022–2023: $9,586.28
- FY 2021–2022: $12,756.57
Compared to the newly adopted FY 2025–2026 District budget of $21,133,893, last year’s total board compensation represents just 0.056%—or about one-twentieth of 1%—of the entire budget.
2. Serving the Community – With Accountability
GCSD is not a volunteer-based community group. It is a public agency responsible for managing complex, regulated services that impact the health and safety of nearly 4,000 residents and countless visitors, including fire protection, parks, water and sewer services. Board members are legally accountable for multimillion-dollar budgets, infrastructure oversight, labor negotiations, compliance with state water and environmental regulations, and long-term capital planning.
Serving on the GCSD Board is not equivalent to volunteering for a hobby, it carries fiduciary, legal, and operational responsibilities similar to those of other government officials.
3. Timing and Transparency
This compensation adjustment is a routine item discussed and considered the exact same time of year publicly in accordance with open meeting laws. The timing has no impact on the rate adjustment process, which is guided by Proposition 218 requirements and an independent cost-of-service study. GCSD has been transparent throughout, hosting public meetings, workshops, and publishing rate calculators and detailed reports to help residents understand the proposed rates.
4. Ratepayer Protections and Equity
Capital and operational funding needs of maintaining critical infrastructure are estimated at over $30 million in upcoming projects and meeting strict regulatory standards.
GCSD legally cannot use ratepayer money to subsidize bills for others, even if we want to. California law requires that rates be based on the cost of service for each customer class, and prohibits using general rate revenue to offset hardship or low-income relief without a dedicated external funding source.
5. Looking Ahead
We welcome constructive dialogue and public participation in the June 18 Public Hearing. The Board continues to serve in good faith and with a deep commitment to the well-being of our community, making tough decisions to ensure the sustainability of services now and for generations to come.
It’s easy to criticize in difficult times—but leadership means being willing to step up, face the hard choices, and be transparent about them. That’s what your GCSD Board is doing.
