For Immediate Release: June 18, 2015
Contact: Jerry Brown, General Manager, 925-688-8034 (Office) or email atjbrown@ccwater.com
Transparency Certificate of Excellence Awarded to Contra Costa Water District
CONCORD - The Contra Costa Water District received the District Transparency Certificate of Excellence by the Special District Leadership Foundation (SDLF) in recognition of its outstanding efforts to promote transparency and good governance. This is the second time the Contra Costa Water District has received this biannual award.
"This award is a testament to Contra Costa Water District's commitment to open government," said Jerry Brown, General Manager. "The entire district staff is to be commended for their contributions that empower the public with information and facilitate engagement and oversight."
In order to receive the award, a special district must demonstrate the completion of eight essential governance transparency requirements, including conducting ethics training for all board members, properly conducting open and public meetings, and filing financial transactions and compensation reports to the State Controller in a timely manner.
The Contra Costa Water District also fulfilled fifteen website requirements, including providing readily available information to the public, such as board agendas, past minutes, current district budget, and the most recent financial audit.
Finally, the district must demonstrated outreach to its constituents that engages the public in its governance, through a regular district newsletter and community notification announcing upcoming filing deadline for Board election.
The Contra Costa Water District delivers safe, clean water to approximately 500,000 people in central and eastern Contra Costa County in Northern California. Formed in 1936 to provide water for irrigation and industry, the Contra Costa Water District is now one of the largest urban water districts in California and a leader in drinking-water treatment technology and source water protection.
SDLF is an independent, non-profit organization formed to promote good governance and best practices among California's special districts through certification, accreditation and other recognition programs.
Special districts are independent public agencies that deliver core local services to communities, such as water, fire protection, parks and recreation, healthcare, sanitation, mosquito abatement, ports, libraries, public cemeteries and more. Districts are established by voters and their funding is approved by voters in order to meet specific needs through focused service. They can be specially molded to serve large regions or small neighborhoods depending on the need.
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The mission of Contra Costa Water District is to strategically provide a reliable supply of high quality water at the lowest cost possible, in an environmentally responsible manner.