The Twentynine Palms Water District has a new general manager as of Wednesday. At the conclusion of its special meeting—which was legally agendized to discuss potential litigation, not personnel issues—an announcement was made that the board and General Manager Tamara Alaniz had agreed to let her contract expire so that she could pursue other opportunities. Alaniz, who has been general manager at the water district since March 2013, was elected last November to the Apple Valley Fire Protection District, where she lives. Acting General Manager Ray Kolisz refused to say if her election to the fire district had any bearing on her leaving the water district. Kolisz, who signed the agenda as acting general manager for Wednesday’s special meeting released Tuesday, also refused to say how long he had been serving as acting general manager, referring all questions to the Board President Sam Moore, who was not available Thursday.
