Los Osos board appoints Greg Qualik as general manager and approves contract

The Los Osos Community Services District board unanimously appointed Greg Qualik as district general manager and approved his employment contract at an adjourned meeting on May 18, 2026.

District counsel summarized the contract’s key compensation and benefits, saying the appointment would be effective May 18, 2026, that the general manager would be an at-will, exempt employee and that the starting annual salary is proposed at $214,000. "After six months, the board will conduct an evaluation and consider whether to provide the increase of up to 3.2% that the rest of the staff will likely receive," counsel said, referring to the contract’s cost-of-living adjustment provision. Counsel also said the district would pay 100% of the cost of the CalPERS health plan for the general manager and his dependent, the employer portion of CalPERS retirement contributions, a $7,500 annual contribution to a 457 deferred-compensation plan, a $100,000 life-insurance policy, 20 vacation days per year, sick leave accrual, five administrative leave days, a $100-per-month auto allowance and a $90-per-month cell-phone allowance.

The contract provisions were presented in open session pursuant to the Brown Act, the counsel said.

Board members praised the district’s recruitment process and the pool of candidates. "I was just blown away at our ability to attract such qualified applicants," one director said, and another called the selection "bittersweet" given the impending departure of outgoing manager Ron.

During public comment, Jeff Edwards said he supported Qualik’s appointment but urged the board to consider a fixed term rather than an "evergreen" contract. "I think there are advantages to having a specified term; for example, a five-year term is reasonable," Edwards said. He also recommended reducing the contract’s escalation provision from 3.2% to 2.5% to better align with inflation targets.

Edwards raised water-supply concerns that he said the new manager will face, noting the district is moving toward construction of a state water pipeline. "The construction documents will be complete in six months or so," he said, and urged the district to secure Table A entitlements before construction is finished. Edwards said the district had discussed acquiring more than the roughly 200 acre-feet already talked about and possibly securing up to 600 acre-feet of state water capacity.

A board member moved to appoint Qualik and approve the contract; a colleague seconded. Roll-call votes were recorded in favor by Director Hubard, Director Cross, Vice President Cecia and President Forkroy; the motion passed unanimously.

After the vote, Qualik addressed the board and public: "I proudly accept and am excited to be part of this organization," he said, thanking the outgoing manager and his family. The board adjourned immediately after his remarks.

The contract as described will take effect May 18, 2026. The board also scheduled a six-month performance evaluation to consider any salary adjustment called for in the agreement.