Finance committee backs new Utility Superintendent pay scale, recommends appointment of current supervisor

The Hidden Valley Lake Community Services District Finance Committee voted to recommend that the Board adopt a Utility Superintendent pay scale and appoint the current Utility Supervisor to that role effective Jan. 2, 2026.

Staff presented results from the 2021 and 2025 salary and compensation studies and recommended a pay scale set at 18% above the current Utility Supervisor rate and 14.1% below the General Manager level. Staff also recommended placing the incumbent at Step B of the new scale.

Why it matters: the change formalizes a higher wage band for the district's water utility management position and clarifies duties and expectations for the role going forward.

Committee discussion and details: Director Jim Freeman questioned how a future cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) would affect the pay scale and asked for clarification on physical requirements listed in the job description, including the ability to smell and taste and a 75-pound lifting requirement, as well as required certifications and the position's role in leading LEAN and continuous improvement efforts. Director Gary Graves asked how the incumbent's current Step E rate compares to the proposed Step B placement, whether the position is exempt, and how the proposed pay compares with similar agencies. Staff responded to each inquiry during discussion.

Next steps: The committee's recommendation will be placed on the Board agenda for formal consideration. No public comment was received during the meeting; the committee adjourned at 2:03 p.m.