Wrightwood board to draft stipend resolution after legal briefing; no pay adopted tonight

The Wrightwood Community Services District board discussed whether to adopt a stipend policy for directors but took no final vote, instead directing legal counsel and staff to draft a resolution for future consideration.

Legal counsel Steve reviewed the statutory framework: under Government Code section 61047 the board may provide up to $100 per day of service, not to exceed six days in a month, and other Water Code provisions allow limited annual adjustments or changes to the number of compensable days. Counsel said a resolution or ordinance is required to authorize stipends and noted some steps—including a public hearing and a 60‑day effective delay for ordinance changes—would be necessary if the board sought to go beyond the basic CSD Act provisions.

Members expressed mixed views. One board member argued a stipend could improve accountability and recruiting for future elections; another said the district’s current budget and audit position are unclear and recommended waiting to implement any stipend until the financials are clarified. A public email from a resident cautioned that the district’s revenue base differs from larger districts that elect to compensate members.

The board’s direction: counsel (Steve) and GM Ramona will draft a resolution with opt‑out language, checks and balances and an implementation plan for board review; approval was explicitly postponed pending better clarity on district finances.

Next steps: staff and counsel will prepare draft resolution language and return it to the board for discussion before any vote.