Rio Linda Water Board: Residents press for accountability on chromium costs and labor talks
After a nearly $2 million plant purchase and a closed session on employee benefits, the district approved revisions to its labor measure.
By Amina Howard ·
Rio Linda residents attended the Elverta Community Water District board meeting on Monday to question a nearly $2 million purchase of a chromium treatment plant and a closed session dedicated to labor negotiations.
Stephanie Suela, a resident who has attended many district meetings over the years, described her recent utility bill as $419, the highest she had seen.
“I’m a money watcher,” Suela said. “A lot of people were here complaining that their bills went up another $100 or $50, so I don’t know what’s being finagled.”
Attendees expressed frustration over proposed employee rate hikes and remote work benefits discussed during the closed session, arguing that the district should prioritize infrastructure repairs over compensation adjustments.
Mary Nelson, another resident, stated that the chromium fix should be the number one priority rather than giving staff raises.
Former board member Mary Garrison criticized the current three board members for focusing on union negotiations while state mandates to fix chromium levels and repair wells remained unaddressed.
Garrison noted that the board members had not voted on any actions to repair the wells and that their first priority appeared to be the union and employees.
Suela reported that the water from her faucet smells like chlorine, adding to the volume of complaints received by the district.
After public commenters urged the board not to move forward with the new labor negotiations, the district voted to approve the measure for revisions.
