The Morongo Valley Community Services District Board of Directors held their regular 6 PM meeting last night at Covington Park’s multipurpose room.

The meeting began with Smith Marion and Co’s audit presentation, followed by the MVCSD Organizational Chart update, both of which the Board approved 4/0. While a “rounding-up” donation program for patrons of local businesses to donate to the CSD was on the agenda, Vice President Lynn Watt stated that by law only non-profits could utilize such a program. Though the Firefighters Auxiliary was discussed as a go-between non-profit. Watts suggested an online widget-based fundraising site instead, and the item was tabled for the next meeting.

Next, the Board discussed and adopted Resolution 2024-02 to oppose Initiative 1935, which limits the ability of voters and local and state governments to raise revenues for government services. Finance Director Johnny Tolbert was particularly vocal against the Initiative, saying, “Long story short, if they pass this, we’re going out of business.” Tolbert added the California Special Districts Association is encouraging all special districts to adopt the Resolution in opposition.        

With the CSD’s preliminary budget draft currently at $48,000 over budget, the Board devised to plan a budget workshop on Saturday, April 6^th at 10:00 AM. With other factors looming, such as SB525 which will raise the Fire Department’s wages, the Board also voted in favor of a spending freeze for the district once they receive their Type 1 Fire Engine back in service.

There is good news for Morongo Valley residents left in the dark by the confusing roll out of the green waste bin program with Trails End Transfer Station dump now approved to accept and process self-haul loads of organic green waste.

Based on feedback from Morongo Valley community members, the San Bernardino Solid Waste Management Division has sent notices to all Morongo Valley residents stating that, effective immediately, the Trails End Transfer Station dump will be a San Bernardino County Approved Source Separated Transfer Station that can be utilized to qualify for a self-haul exemption.

The Trails End Transfer Station is located at 10780 Malibu Trail, open Thursday through Sunday from 8-4 PM. The site is open to local unincorporated residents with a Disposal Use Permit card. Users will be provided with a receipt each time source separated material is brought to the site, in which you will need to save and submit these receipts along with your self-haul exemption application beginning with the 2024-25 application.        

For information regarding the self-haul exemption program requirements or to obtain a self-haul exemption application for the remainder of the 2023-24 year, please visit: http://dpw.sbcounty.gov/swmdexemptions