COSTA MESA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mesa Water District (Mesa Water®), a top-performing public water agency, was recently reaccredited as a “District of Distinction” by the Special District Leadership Foundation (SDLF) for its sound fiscal management policies and practices in district operations. This is the sixth time Mesa Water® has received this biannual accreditation.
“Due to the efforts of our staff, management team, and Board members, Mesa Water has again achieved the highest transparency performance standards,” said Mesa Water Board President Jim Atkinson. “Mesa Water’s ongoing commitment to transparency is evidenced by our receiving this biannual award for the sixth consecutive time.”
Requirements for receiving the “District of Distinction” recognition include: regular financial audits with no major deficiencies; policies and procedures that conform to all state law statutes and regulations; proof of training in the areas of ethics, governance, and harassment prevention; and more. Also, MesaWater.org was reviewed to ensure it includes postings of the required transparency elements such as our board meeting agendas and schedules, current budget and most recent financial audit, compensation for our board members and staff, and elections procedures and deadlines.
“Mesa Water is dedicated to satisfying our community’s water needs, and our strategic plan includes the goals of being financially responsible and transparent, increasing public awareness about Mesa Water and about water, and providing outstanding customer service,” said Mesa Water General Manager Paul E. Shoenberger, P.E. “Government accountability, openness, and transparency is incorporated within our strategic plan which guides our organization and operations.”
SDLF is an independent, non-profit organization formed to promote good governance and best practices among California’s special districts through certification, accreditation and other recognition programs.
“SDLF provides an independent audit review of the last three years of the district’s operations to ensure prudent fiscal practices,” said Neil McCormick, SDLF Chief Executive Officer. “The committee members who review the audits are volunteers from the special district community, including district controllers, directors of finance, and certified general managers.”
About Mesa Water
Founded on January 1, 1960, and governed by a publicly-elected, five-member Board of Directors, Mesa Water is an independent special district that provides water service to 110,000 residents in an 18-square-mile service area that includes most of Costa Mesa, a portion of Newport Beach, and John Wayne Airport. Mesa Water provides 100 percent local reliable groundwater to its customers due to the Mesa Water Reliability Facility. Visit MesaWater.org, follow @MesaWater on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, email info@MesaWater.org. or call 949.631.1200 to learn more.
