Central San Celebrates Financial Transparency, Flags MVSD Consolidation Study

Central Contra Costa Sanitary District's board meeting Sept. 17 was a night of milestones — 26 consecutive years of top-tier financial reporting, 28 straight years without a single wastewater permit violation, and a roster of community partners honored for pollution prevention — but a letter from Mt. View Sanitation District (MVSD) on a consolidation study added a note of uncertainty about the district's governance future.

• Central San earns 26th consecutive national financial transparency award, with staff highlighting that the honor measures disclosure quality, not just fiscal health

• District extends California's longest active clean water compliance streak to 28 years, ranking among the top 10 nationally for zero NPDES permit violations

• Board approves consent calendar 5-0, authorizing a $164.6M appropriations limit, a $450K Stantec design contract for wet weather basin improvements, and sewer relocation agreements with CCTA

• Brewery, golf course, land trust, and a resident who collected 40,225 gallons of recycled water honored at Pollution Prevention Week gala

• General manager discloses MVSD consolidation study letter, says staff is formulating a response

A Quarter-Century of Financial Transparency

The basics: The Government Finance Officers Association's Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting is a voluntary standard that evaluates whether an agency's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report gives the public, creditors, and regulators enough information to assess the agency's finances — not a verdict on fiscal health itself.

Why it matters: Central San has now earned the certificate for 26 consecutive years, a streak that signals sustained institutional commitment to transparency beyond what's legally required under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.

Where things stand: Kevin, Finance Division staff, presented the award, explaining the rigorous two-layer review process. "There are some important threshold requirements that you need to meet. The first is you need to present an ACFR. It can't be a basic set of financial statements. Your ACFR needs to receive an unmodified or clean audit opinion," he said. The district's report is first audited by Mason Associates, then reviewed independently by GFOA's Special Review Committee. Kevin recognized Accounting Supervisor Brendan Rogers for leading the ACFR development process, along with colleagues Michelle Gonzalez, Tricia Cruz, and Diana Diaz.

Board Member Tad Pilecki connected the award to a broader institutional culture, noting the increasing difficulty of maintaining it. "Challenges to meet these awards are constantly increasing," he said, pointing to the growing complexity of new GASB pronouncements.

Board Member Jean Kuznik echoed that theme, turning attention to workforce development: "We are all in that market where we are challenged to bring in the next crop of people who will be those leaders in the next 25 years."

California's Longest Clean Water Streak Reaches 28 Years

Why it matters: Central San's 28 consecutive years of zero National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit violations is the longest active compliance streak in California and jointly the eighth longest in the nation, with only 10 plants nationally holding longer streaks — down from 12 last year.

Where things stand: Plant Operations Division Manager Alan Weir presented NACWA's Platinum 28 Peak Performance Award, crediting staff excellence, attention to detail during challenging conditions including wet weather and bomb cyclones, and strong internal communication. "We have the longest active compliance streak in the state of California. We're the joint eighth longest streak in the nation," Weir said.

The other side: General Manager Roger offered an important caveat: the Platinum award only applies to NACWA member agencies. "It doesn't mean, and it could be that there is no other plant in the country that has these, but if they are not a member of NACWA, they are not considered," he said — meaning some non-member plants with perfect records go uncounted.

Board Member Pilecki tied both awards together, praising the training culture that sustains performance across decades of staff turnover. "What it speaks to is the training and the development process that we have here to make sure that people learn the process, learn how to do it, and it's consistent over all those years," he said.

Brewery, Recycled Water Champion Lead Pollution Prevention Honors

Why it matters: Central San's annual Pollution Prevention Week awards, presented at the Sustainable Contra Costa gala, recognize businesses and residents who go beyond compliance — building community partnerships around water quality and recycled water use. The district plans social media promotion across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Nextdoor with a potential reach of 385,000 followers.

Where things stand: Program Administrator Colleen Henry presented four award categories. Headlands Brewing Company in Lafayette earned the Pollution Prevention Award for sustainable brewing practices, participation in 1% for the Planet, and wastewater reduction. "Last night when I gave out this award, the crowd sort of roared for Headlands Brewing Company," Henry said.

The Recycled Water Champions category honored Skylinks Golf in Concord and citizen Pat Mitchell, who visited the recycled water fill station 155 times, collecting 40,225 gallons. Thirty-eight businesses were recognized as Water Quality Community Partners for consecutive years of discharge permit compliance, and the John Muir Land Trust earned the Pollution Prevention Partner award for work at Pacheco Marsh protecting the district's outfall pipeline.

Board Member Barbara Hockett shared what she observed at the gala: "In speaking with the honorees, I can tell you that this is really personal for them, and they're very proud of what they're doing. It's just an incredibly joyful experience for them to give back."

MVSD Letter Raises Consolidation Question

General Manager Roger disclosed that the district received a letter from Mt. View Sanitation District (MVSD) dated Sept. 10 regarding a consolidation study. "We are currently discussing how best to respond," he said, adding that board members have been copied on the letter.

What's next: The consolidation study could raise fundamental governance questions about the district's future structure and service delivery. Staff will keep the board posted on the response strategy.

Minor Items

• Consent calendar approved 5-0 (moved by Board Member Hockett, seconded by Board Member Pilecki), covering agenda items 3 through 9: approval of Sept. 3 meeting minutes; confirmation of publication of Ordinance Nos. 348 and 349 summaries; biennial review of Integrated Pest Management policy (no changes); adoption of Resolution No. 2026-014 setting the FY 2026-27 appropriations limit at $164,632,086; adoption of Resolution Nos. 2026-015 through 2026-032 recognizing employee service award recipients; authorization of a $450,000 Stantec agreement amendment for wet weather basin design; and ratification of utility and sewer relocation agreements with CCTA for the A-Line project.

• August 2026 investment portfolio report received without discussion.

• Administration Committee (Sept. 1) and Engineering and Operations Committee (Sept. 2) minutes received without discussion.

• Board Member Michael McGill reported attending a mayor's conference.

• Board recessed into closed session pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(a) regarding a threat to public services or facilities.