Overview

The Central Basin Municipal Water District Board is set to evaluate its legal counsel and the rising costs associated with legal services during its upcoming meeting. This review is particularly significant given the district's recent leadership changes and the financial implications that have arisen from these shifts.

Legal fees for the 2024-2026 period are projected to exceed $2 million, coinciding with a reported 50% collapse in reserves. The agenda will focus on strategies for reducing legal costs and assessing the necessity of outside counsel.

Key details

  • The Central Basin Municipal Water District Board will review its legal counsel at a meeting on Monday.
  • Projected legal fees for 2024-2026 are anticipated to exceed $2 million.
  • The district's reserves have reportedly collapsed by 50%.
  • The review follows a leadership upheaval within the district in late 2023.
  • Former President Michael Gualtieri and other board members attempted to place General Manager Dr. Alex Rojas on leave.
  • District attorney Bob Baker cautioned the Board about potential legal repercussions of placing Rojas on leave.
  • Rojas faces unresolved legal charges, including money laundering and bribery, from his previous role at Bassett Unified School District.
  • Rojas has denied all allegations against him.
  • Witnesses at a recent hearing contradicted earlier statements made against Rojas.
  • Baker indicated that Rojas' contract lacked a “moral turpitude” clause to justify his leave.
  • Bob Baker was replaced shortly after the discussions regarding Rojas.
  • In December 2023, the Board voted to retain Victor Ponto as general counsel from Burke, Williams & Sorensen LLP.

Context

The Central Basin Municipal Water District has experienced significant leadership changes that have impacted its legal strategy and financial health. Previous leadership, including Art Chacon and Dr. Alex Rojas, had successfully improved the district's financial standing before these recent upheavals.

What happens next

The Board's upcoming meeting will address the pressing issue of rising legal costs and the ongoing evaluation of the district's legal counsel, potentially leading to changes in how the district manages its legal affairs moving forward.

What we don't know yet

Details regarding the specific reasons for the collapse of reserves and the full implications of the legal charges against Dr. Alex Rojas remain unconfirmed.