Last night, the Morongo Valley Community Services District held their regular 6 PM meeting in Covington Park’s multipurpose room.
On the action item of Preliminary Budget Options, the Board discussed the looming SB525, which has yet to be decided whether it will raise salaries of the Morongo Valley Firefighters June 1st. Vice President Lynn Watts reported the Labor Commission isn’t currently prioritizing the law and that even Governor Newsom has “taken a step back” as to when the law will take effect due to a state budget deficit, and that he won’t implement any increases until the budget is backed.
In the meantime, the CSD’s preliminary budget workshop scheduled for this Sunday has been moved to Wednesday, May 1st at 6 PM.
Until the district can afford a retirement plan for its firefighters, The Board passed a Payroll Deduction plan, essentially an optional pre-taxed savings account to help budget their future spending.
While there was no action taken whether the Board should continue its monthly “meet and greets,” where Board members appear at various local establishments to answer questions for the public, the decision was made to take advantage of the upcoming Morongo Daze music festival in Covington Park on Saturday, May 4th, where community members will be able to speak to the Board at their own designated booth.
