Board of Directors

Board Unanimously Approves 4% COLA and Formalizes Salary Schedules

Board approved a 4% cost-of-living increase for the sole unrepresented employee and formalized the bi-weekly salary schedule under the Local 39 MOU.

Board Pumps Brakes on $16M Sewer Force Main Contract, Seeks Peer Review Before August Vote

Board deferred authorization of a guaranteed maximum price contract with McGuire and Hester for the Montara sewer force main, requesting member agency review and the full contract document by August 10.

Why it matters: Costs have ballooned from an initial $10M CIP estimate to $16–$20M due to materials inflation, Caltrans backfill requirements, and El Niño risk; a consent decree sets a hard replacement deadline that may need a one-year extension.

SAM Earns Fifth Straight GFOA Award After Historic Finance Turnaround

SAM's finance team was recognized with a fifth consecutive GFOA Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, marking a dramatic turnaround from 2019 when three audits were outstanding.

Why it matters: In 2019, SAM was 615 days behind on audit opinions with 32 adjustments in one year; the finance overhaul since 2020 means member agencies now receive timely records and clean audits.

Community Group Wins SAM Commitment to Budget Subcategory and Online Project Tracker

Code Allies co-founder Kevin Snachinski reported that SAM staff agreed to create a miscellaneous spending subcategory capped at $10,000 and a public project dashboard on the website.

Why it matters: Ratepayers have expressed years of frustration over perceived lack of transparency in how SAM shifts funds between projects; these two measures aim to rebuild public trust.

Chair Pushes SAM to Adopt Harbor District's Award-Winning Accounting Practices

Chair Slater-Carter directs the general manager to consult with the Harbor District on implementing GASB-compliant electronic accounting using SAM's existing Tyler software.

Why it matters: Better financial reporting could improve transparency, budget accountability, and potentially earn SAM national accounting awards, following the Harbor District's successful model.

Solar PPA Faces Make-or-Break Week as Vendor Drags on Key Terms

SAM continues the public hearing on its solar PPA to June 22 as general counsel warns tough negotiations remain with the vendor over liability, risk-shifting, and a July 4 IRS deadline.

Why it matters: If the vendor cannot resolve open liability and regulatory risk issues within days, SAM will miss IRS safe harbor and Investment Tax Credit deadlines, potentially killing the 25-year solar energy project.

SAM Tables Landstrip Easement Over Scope and Habitat Disputes

Board continues the Landstrip easement to July 13, demanding the grant cover the full parcel and include endangered species habitat language.

Why it matters: The easement scope will determine whether Half Moon Bay can execute a comprehensive flood control and habitat restoration project on land SAM owns adjacent to its treatment plant.

Board Renews Expired Easement Securing SAM's Wastewater Plant Site

SAM unanimously approves a second amendment renewing the expired 1982 easement that authorizes its continued operation of the treatment plant on Half Moon Bay-owned land.

Why it matters: Without this renewal, SAM has no written legal right to access or operate its own wastewater treatment plant, which jeopardizes the pending solar PPA and other capital projects.