MVCSD discuss tree maintenance with Dawn Rowe and approve fiscal year budget with $98,000 increase
Last night, the Morongo Valley Community Services District Board of Directors held their regular meeting where they approved the budget worksheet for fiscal year 2026-27, discussed a recent meeting with Dawn Rowe regarding Covington Park tree maintenance, and reviewed potential retirement plans for district employees.
For years the MVCSD has hired a sequence of arborists to mitigate the dangers of falling branches in Covington Park, yet with high winds and dry weather, it costs the district thousands of dollars in annual maintenance. General Manager Brittany Chavez reported she met with Third District Supervisor Dawn Rowe and her Field Rep Glen Harris who assessed the situation last week, and this Friday Chavez and Park Maintenance Buddy Stogner will meet with an arborist referred by Rowe with the goal to “fix the initial problem, not just the falling branches.”
Fire Chief Lindley reported the department continues to be fully staffed with six full time personnel and recently recruited five more reserve firefighters. Lindley said there will also be further testing for future positions that may become available as they move through their current growth process.
For district employees including fire staff, The Board discussed introducing a 457(b) plan, an employer sponsored retirement account available to local government workers. Because the plan requires employers to match each amount an employee wants to put in their retirement, the Board agreed it may take more growth before the district could afford it. However, Lindley stated the largest reason they have difficulty retaining firefighters is because of the district’s lack of retirement options, so the Board agreed to table the item until the next meeting, where they will revisit hiring an HR company.
Finally, The Board approved the 2026-27 budget worksheet, with items such as legal expenses, apparatus repairs, and tree maintenance increasing costs over $98,000 from last fiscal year.
