SENATE BILL REPORT

 

                            SB 6502

 

      AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS,

                       FEBRUARY 4, 1994

 

 

Brief Description:  Providing procedures for increasing the number of water district commissioners.

 

SPONSORS: Senator A. Smith

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

 

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Haugen, Chairman; Drew, Vice Chairman; Loveland, McCaslin, Oke, Owen and Winsley.

 

Staff:  Diane Smith (786‑7410)

 

Hearing Dates: February 1, 1994; February 4, 1994

 

 

BACKGROUND:

 

A water district has the option to increase the number of members on its board from three to five by three different means.  It may do so by resolution, that doing so would be in the best interest of the district.  It may also increase the number of its members if it is presented with a petition signed by 10 percent of the registered voters residing within the district who voted in the last general municipal election.  This petition requests a resolution from the board that an election be held.

 

The third method may take place in any water district with more than 10,000 customers when the board votes by unanimous resolution to increase their numbers from three to five.

 

SUMMARY:

 

The board's discretionary power to increase its number is removed.  When the number of water district customers exceeds 10,000, the three member board must increase its number to five members.  It may do so either by the existing procedure for filling a vacancy or by the existing procedure for nomination of candidates from commissioner districts.

 

Appropriation:  none

 

Revenue:  none

 

Fiscal Note:  none requested

 

TESTIMONY FOR:

 

Compliance with the Open Meetings Act when the board is composed of only three members has caused difficulties for the water district boards.  No one member may discuss district business with another member on an informal level because two members constitute a quorum and an open meeting is necessary.

 

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

 

TESTIFIED:  Glen M. Rose, Highline Water District (pro)