Marysville levy commission aligns budget schedule, separates bank account and sets July hearing; authorizes tires and monthly meetings

The Marysville Levee Commission voted to align its budget-review calendar with the City of Marysville, create a separate bank account for levy funds and set a July 28 public hearing on continuing annual assessments.

Commissioners also authorized up to $2,900 to purchase replacement tires for commission equipment, adopted a monthly meeting schedule and tabled further discussion of city staff billable hours until legal and charter questions are resolved.

The motions came during an agenda item on adjustments to the fiscal-year budget review schedule and implementation of billable hours for city staff supporting the commission. A staff member told commissioners the commission’s finances are currently commingled with the city’s general fund at Chase and advised opening a separate account under the commission’s federal tax identification number to make cash-flow monitoring and audits easier. The staff member said the city would provide a budget schedule and beginning balances to reduce retroactive reconciliation if the commission adopts its budget in June or July instead of October.

The staff member also reported an outstanding note payable with the Yuba Water Agency. The loan’s interest rate was described as 4 percent; the staff member said the loan agreement had been amended so only interest—not principal—was currently due and that the district is working to secure funding to repay principal. The staff member said the total note payable at June 2023 was about $2,400,000 with accrued interest of about $876,000.

Commission discussion addressed procurement practices and local vendor preference for tire replacement. One commenter recommended obtaining multiple bids from different vendors; commissioners noted state procurement rules for levy districts generally require formal bids only at higher thresholds and said for amounts well under $25,000 the minimum is less prescriptive. The commission authorized staff to spend up to $2,900 for tires and directed staff to follow normal payment and audit procedures so vendors are paid on receipt of service.

On meeting cadence, staff recommended moving from quarterly to monthly meetings (with the option to recess when no business is scheduled) to facilitate budget review and other recurring items. The commission adopted a 12-meeting annual schedule with the option to recess individual meetings.

The commission tabled the item regarding city staff billable hours pending review of the city charter and counsel guidance. A staff member said they would consult the levy attorney and return with clarification.

Votes at a glance - Motion: Align the levy commission budget review calendar with the city fiscal year and authorize staff to open a separate bank account for the commission. Outcome: approved (voice vote). Mover/second: not specified in transcript. Notes: staff to provide schedule and beginning balances; separate bank account to use commission federal ID. - Motion: Table discussion of city staff billable hours until charter and legal guidance are obtained. Outcome: tabled (voice vote). Mover/second: not specified. - Motion: Adopt Resolution LC-2025 (preliminary) to declare the commission’s intention to continue annual benefit assessments and set a public hearing for July 28, 2025. Outcome: approved (voice vote). Mover: unidentified in transcript; one commissioner later seconded. - Motion: Authorize up to $2,900 to purchase replacement tires for commission equipment and permit staff to secure the best available quote. Outcome: approved (voice vote). Mover/second: not specified. - Motion: Adopt a monthly meeting schedule (12 meetings annually, with option to recess unnecessary meetings). Outcome: approved (voice vote). Mover/second: not specified.

The commission packet included preliminary engineers’ reports for the Marysville Levee District benefit assessment and for the Lehi flood and control facility assessment district; staff said those reports were provided by an engineer (Kyle), who could not attend the meeting but had provided the materials. Staff said the engineers’ reports specify assessment index rules tied to the consumer price index with a cap (not to exceed 4 percent in a given year). The commission set the public hearing on the assessments for July 28, 2025, to consider final action.

The meeting also included an operational update on outstanding liabilities and procurement practices and a commitment by staff to circulate more detailed hourly-rate information and budget worksheets via email.

The commission opened with roll call and a brief Oath of Office presentation; no public comments were recorded for this meeting.