Tahoe Daily Tribune 07/28/2023

On 7/28/2023, the Tahoe Daily Tribune quoted Trustee Dent, the article can be found on pages 6 and 23 of the E-Edition. Below are the questions and full responses.

First and foremost, the Duffield Foundation confirmed to me that the potential of engaging in a grant for the recreation center expansion was terminated due to Sara Schmitz's no vote on the design.  How does this impact the district?

The District can still expand the Recreation Center, we have available funds, ability to Bond, and should take the time to do the project right with the focus on what the community needs. We learned a couple lessons. 1) Everything should be in writing.  We did NOT have anything in writing that assured if the project was started, that it would be completed. All contracts were being done one at a time, with the ability for the termination at any point. We could have gotten half way into a project to build a dedicated gymnastics room, that would serve a small portion of our community, and be responsible for funding its completion. 2) Communication.  We cannot have secret constraints individual Trustees and Community may not be aware of.  If a vote requires a 4-1 or 5-0 vote the expectations/rules should be listed in the packet so everyone is informed and aware.  If there is a future opportunity, the Board needs to have a written commitment to avoid sudden termination along with clearly communicating the expectations in the Board packet.

Secondly, it's been reported to me that multiple senior level management team members have resigned in large part due to the management of the Board of Trustees. I will be reaching out to each person who has resigned in the last six months, but I'm wondering how you respond to this? Are you worried about the leadership accusations that have been coming to the board that have led to the loss of major employees?

No, people make decisions for various reasons.  We are thankful for our employees and the amount of time and energy they spend at the District.  The General Manager is tasked with the leadership of the District, whether it is the employees, the culture, and morale this is the responsibility of the General Manager.  It is the Board of Trustees job to approve a budget, create policy, and set goals, while overseeing the General Manager whom is tasked with achieving those goals.