T.U.D. Passes $15.9 Million Budget

Sonora, CA — The Tuolumne Utilities District Board of Directors has passed what it describes as a “conservative” budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1^st.

T.U.D. Board Chair John Maciel stated, “It’s on time (budget), and this has been a team effort. It’s something that I think we can live by, and live with.”

As reported previously, the largest chunk of the budget will go towards personnel. Board documents note that eight currently vacant positions will not be funded next year. They include an engineer, senior account assistant, meter reader, several various utility workers and a water treatment plant operator. The personnel budget for 2015 is projected to be $8.9 million, which is an increase of about $87,000 from the current year. The dollar increase is attributed to rising retiree benefits.

It was noted by T.U.D. officials that deficit spending has now been curtailed for three straight years. One member of the public asked about how much debt there is related to unfunded pension liabilities. A T.U.D. official stated that it is close to $10 million, and noted that this is something that all districts and municipalities are dealing with in the state.

The $15.9 million spending plan was approved 4-0 last night, with Board member Mike Sarno absent.