February was a very welcomed snowy month. However precipitation
from the snow only amounted to .84 of an inch according to the Ag Met sensor in
Penrose. Temperatures ranged from a day time high of 74.9 to a night time low
of 1.2 degrees. We certainly are very happy to receive moisture regardless of
the form it comes in.
We had a successful annual shareholders meeting held on
Saturday, February 28th at the Penrose School Gymnasium. A total of
66% of the shares available were represented either in person or through a
proxy. Minutes from 2014 annual shareholders meeting were approved. Several
speakers were on the agenda. Charlotte Norman and Dale Carroll represented
Penrose water District and gave us an update on their project. Dale provided information
on a project to reduce Penrose’s fire rating in efforts to lower Penrose home
owners’ insurance costs. Information regarding this; is available in the Beaver
Park Water office as well as Penrose Water Districts office. Garrett Markus
from Southeastern Water Conservancy District spoke about project water that is
regulated by the Reclamation Reform Act that requires all purchases of project
water must provide a list of shareholders, names, addresses, phone numbers and
total number of shares owned. (This was on the ballot for shareholders to vote
on). Charlie Newlon spoke on behalf of
the Farm Service Agency he spoke about various different plans for those who
wish to purchase crop insurance. Rick Romano from the NRCS (Natural Resource
Conservation Service) spoke about their cost shared programs for fire
mitigation and environmental projects. Julie Falletta from Sunflower wealth
management spoke about our CD’s and portfolio for our $2.25 million that is
targeted for a new 42 inch line. Additionally we have $250,000 of that in a
Sunflower Bank CD should we need to gain access to funds more readily. Tom
Lilze, new Beaver Park Water, Inc.’s superintendent spoke about the primary
project focus is on the upper ditch, replacing pipe and cleaning out sediment
that has built up over the years.
Gary Ratkovich spoke about the 2015 budget that was approved
unanimously. Jack Tyler retained his position on the Board without opposition.
The second ballot item; to approve or disapprove release to SEWCD of
shareholder information in order to purchase project water, won by a large
margin of votes; against 273 and 2070 for.
Statements for 2015 assessments were mailed out on March 2,
2015. Payment is due April 1, 2015. Those wishing to make split payments; half
by April 1st and Balance by August 1st will be charged a
$10.00 fee to do so.
