The Wrightwood Community Services District Board met on Monday, June 16, to schedule key budget hearings, review the upcoming fiscal year, and announce a change in board leadership.
The board voted to hold a special meeting on Friday, June 27, at 5:30 p.m. at the Wrightwood Museum to approve its annual appropriations limit. This is a standard part of the budgeting process that sets a cap on how much of the district’s tax money can be spent during the year. The item must be approved by the end of June; however, the district’s attorney noted that it can be adopted retroactively if needed.
The board also discussed the timing of a separate public hearing on the full 2025–26 budget and job vacancies. That hearing will take place at the regular board meeting on August 5. Although the district does not currently have any job openings, the hearing is still required under state law before the board can adopt the new budget.
General Manager Ramona Evey, who started the job earlier this month, said some parts of the draft budget need to be cleaned up, including the way certain line items are categorized. Several public questions centered on how grant money for the restroom and septic system project is being tracked. Evey explained that the grant funds are kept in a separate account, but some expenses were incorrectly labeled and will be fixed with the help of the district’s accountant and auditor.
The board also discussed the amount the district is paying for outside services. This year’s budget included higher expenses for things like contracting and consulting because of the restroom project, but Evey said those costs will come down next year. She also said she hopes to reduce the district’s legal bills by taking on more day-to-day administrative duties herself.
District legal counsel Steve Kennedy stated that he hasn’t billed the district since January, saying he wanted to support the transition to new leadership without adding extra financial pressure.
As part of supporting that transition, the board agreed to send Evey to the California Special Districts Association Leadership Academy, a multi-day training designed to help general managers and board members better understand how special districts work and how to run them effectively.
Later in the meeting, the board accepted the resignation of Director Kurt Watson, who will step down on June 30. Watson, who was appointed last October, shared prepared remarks reflecting on his time on the board. He said the experience had been both rewarding and eye-opening and credited his time at the CSDA Leadership Academy with helping him better understand the role.
Watson also spoke about the challenges of public service in a small town. He said while many residents approached him with good ideas and a spirit of collaboration, he also faced pressure and criticism when his decisions didn’t match certain expectations. He praised local efforts, such as Drawing Together, a local nonprofit that encourages community and collaboration through the arts, calling it an example of what positive engagement can look like.
Board President Alexis Claiborne and others thanked Watson for his service, calling him a steady presence during a time of transition. A public notice about the board vacancy will be posted in early July, and the board will have 60 days from Watson’s resignation date to appoint a replacement, following the process outlined by state law.
The meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m. The board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 1, and a special meeting is scheduled for Friday, June 27, at 5:30 p.m. at the Wrightwood Museum.
