Get Involved with Our Community Services District

by Dan Kearns

This Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at 5:30 PM the Indian Valley Community Services District (IVCSD) will be holding a regular board meeting at their office, 127 Crescent St, Greenville CA 95947. Click here for the AGENDA. IVCSD is considering taking on several new projects (fiscal and physical liabilities). These extra duties, responsibilities and commitments are outside of IVCSD's current responsibilities.  This extra workload could put strain on the district, which is still recovering from revenue losses experienced after the Dixie Fire.  These concerns, however, are being met with opposition from those who support the idea of IVCSD taking on these new projects. 

I recognize that this topic carries triggers and emotional ties to certain outcomes for all points of view involved. It is my intention for this article to shed light on some of the issues being faced by IVCSD staff and board members at this time. It is my intention to inspire folks to become curious about what is going on with our services district, to learn more for themselves and to become reengaged in our local environment. I suggest that everyone follow up with the appropriate sources to check my work and get your own answers to your own questions. It is my intention to have compassion for all humans involved while keeping positions of power and influence accountable. IVCSD exists in a legal framework which both enables and relies upon citizen participation, a system which empowers citizens to wield our will upon the agencies which we have created to do our bidding. In this case, to provide us with water, sewer, lighting, fire and rescue services and parks for recreation. 

It is important that the citizens and community members who rely on IVCSD for services (which includes everyone who resides within Indian Valley Fire Department's district boundaries) become engaged with our Community Services District. A lot of changes and big decisions are taking place within IVCSD. The wellbeing of IVCSD effects the wellbeing of all of us in Indian Valley.

There are members of the IVCSD board and of the community who wish to slow down. To re-focus on the basics of what IVCSD is responsible for (and can afford), to ensure that IVCSD can efficiently and effectively provide the services they are currently responsible for. IVCSD's existing departments need to be in good working order and thriving before taking on more work, liability and responsibility within the district. The practice of billing property owners for services on vacant lots is an example a district not thriving under current circumstances. Fire stations within the district that do not have back up power systems in place are an example of facilities not in good working order. 

Care and thought need to be given to how IVCSD is going to move forward. Fire Chief, Bob Orange has retired and needs to be replaced. There is a new utilities operations manager coming on board to replace Mike Sundby, and other changes in personnel are possible as well. It is important to be involved and support our board as these changes are taking place. 

The budget that will be discussed at the upcoming meeting, shows that General Manager, Adam Cox's firm is paid $20,000 per month, that's $240,000 per year, for managerial services. Requests made by board members and the public for copies of General Manager Adam Cox's contract with IVCSD have gone unanswered. Why is it so difficult to receive a copy of the employment contract between IVCSD and the general manager? 

IVCSD is a tax funded district. The tax revenue which is allocated to IVCSD by Plumas County is intended to support the operations of the district, including Indian Valley Fire Department. According to an income statement provided by the Plumas County Auditor-Controller, in 2022, 2023 and 2024, IVCSD brought in $249,805; $227,116 and $252,229 respectively. This illustrates that IVCSD spends more in some years on managerial services than they bring in in total tax revenue. IVCSD financial statements show that Indian Valley Fire Department received $0 in tax funding last year. Why? IVCSD ordinances state, on page 82, item g., that Indian Valley Fire Department is to be funded with tax revenue. Why is no tax revenue being allocated to the fire department? Should there be concern that Indian Valley Fire Department may suffer the same fate as the Chester Fire Department? 

This upcoming meeting will include discussion regarding the current budget, the Greenville Park Renovation Plan and Budget, Pool Manager Job Description and Pay Range and, in closed session, Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release and Anticipated Litigation.

So many of our community members and property owners are still displaced. Requests to have a Zoom option for IVCSD meetings have also received no response. We could all benefit from the ability to remotely participate in meetings. Utilizing Zoom would allow meetings to be recorded for easy and accurate record keeping. What could possibly be the reason for wanting to limit the public's ability to participate in guiding our Community Services District? To request that future meetings have Zoom options, please contact IVCSD or one of our board members.

Exercise your right to be involved in the future of our community. Support the IVCSD Board to make decisions that are in alignment with the highest and greatest good of all who live in our community. Come to meetings. Simply observing the process is helpful. Showing an interest in what is going on creates more accountability. Our IVCSD Board needs our support in guiding the future of the district. We will have to live with the consequences of the decisions that are being made right now. The more the People engage with the process, the more the outcomes of the process align with the will of the People. 

It is important to become aware of manner in which the board members and the general manager interact with each other and the public.  To view or listen to recordings of recent board meetings, CLICK HERE and scroll down below this article. Keep in mind that a properly set up Zoom feature would make it much easier to hear the proceedings.