Water District Board Catches More Flak : Utilities: Los Alamitos agency draws criticism for $4,000 tab at Lake Tahoe conference. It already was under fire for financial management. Members call expenses routine.

LOS ALAMITOS —  The five directors of the Los Alamitos County Water District, who already are under fire for their financial management, are being criticized by city officials for spending nearly $4,000 to attend a conference in Lake Tahoe last year.

In addition to the expense of attending the conference, four of the directors each drew $100 per day in salaries as allowed under a district policy.

The directors said they did nothing wrong and that the expenses to attend the three-day California Special Districts Conference last September were routine.

But while city officials agreed that the expenses do not appear to be illegal, they said they are still outraged that district directors would receive $100 a day in salaries for attending the conference.

“Considering that they are running a deficit, it’s unethical and immoral,” said Mayor Anthony R. Selvaggi during Monday’s City Council meeting, in which a longstanding proposal to separate the city from the water district was again discussed.

Jack Rosenthal, president of the water district’s board of directors, said that a policy adopted in 1986 allows directors to receive $100 “for each day served as a director.”

“I gave up four days of work to attend this conference,” said Rosenthal, an engineer who charges $75 an hour for his work. “But I am committed to do my job as a director.”

Director Arlyss Burkett, who was elected to a four-year term on the board in 1992, said the charges that the district is operating in the red are not true, pointing to the $1 million that has been set aside for future repairs of the sewer lines.

“They (city officials) want our reserve fund and our property,” Burkett said. “That is what’s driving this whole thing. We will fight to the end to maintain the sewer district.”

The water district collects sewer waste from about 7,000 households and businesses in Los Alamitos, Rossmoor and portions of Seal Beach and Cypress, charging property owners about $1.25 a month for the service.

William C. Poe and Joseph C. Martin, who both were elected to the water district board two years ago, and Edwyna Moyer, whose term on the board expires in November, also attended the conference. However, Martin refused the $100-a-day salary and drove his own car to Lake Tahoe.

“I think the council is trying to read something that is not there,” said Sandra Montez, the district’s general manager, who did not attend the conference. “It’s overblown. It’s ridiculous.”

According to district financial records, the directors spent $856.88 for hotel accommodations, $1,375 for conference registration, $412 for plane fare and $68 for a rented van. In addition, four directors received $300 each in salaries.

Two directors and the general manager of the Rossmoor Community Services District also attended the conference, which is held annually by special districts in much the same way that cities hold their League of California Cities conference.

“It’s a good idea for people who vote on millions of dollars in contracts to know what they are doing,” said Bill Sheldon, general manager of the Rossmoor Community Services District, who attended the last two conferences.

Sheldon said a variety of workshops and seminars are offered during the three-day conference, including sessions on state public meetings law that is a must for special district directors.

Sheldon, however, said that Rossmoor directors do not get paid for attending the conference.

Earlier this month, City Council members postponed a decision until October on whether to ask the Local Agency Formation Commission to begin the process of separating the city from the water district.

But Selvaggi said he wants to move forward, particularly after details of the Tahoe trip surfaced this week.

“Nobody is suggesting it (the trip) was illegal,” Selvaggi said. “I think it was a waste of taxpayers’ money.”