Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/850954
E n s u r i n g a S t r o n g F u t u r e 1 | P a g e CHAPTER 1 - OVERVIEW Letter of Introduction: GM Dear Customer: This Five-Year Business Plan is a key planning instrument and road map to "Ensuring a Strong Future." For over 60 years, Padre Dam MWD has provided vital water, wastewater and recycled water services to our East County communities. And of course, our Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve has proven to be a tremendous community asset attracting hundreds of thousands annually. Our mission to provide the best quality of service at the lowest possible cost is a hallmark of our agency. We understand that we, the employees of Padre Dam, are simply superintendents of a system that belongs to you, the community. We are here for a short period of time in history maintaining and improving this system that is the cornerstone of our economy and quality of life. Our obligation as public servants and water professionals is to manage this system in a manner that allows us to turn it over to our children and grandchildren, a little better than when we got it. This is why it's so incredibly important for us to thoroughly prepare and implement a well-crafted business plan that contemplates future needs, challenges and opportunities. The 2018-2022 Business Plan, Ensuring a Strong Future, does just that. The Plan holds staff accountable with established goals and performance measurements that track progress and potential short comings. It gives staff flexibility in its deployment allowing for reallocation of resources as priorities shift. The Plan considers numerous ancillary planning documents in its design including the District's 2012-22 Strategic Plan, 2017 Cost of Service Study, 2015 Urban Water Management Plan, 2017 Capacity Fee Study, 2015 Facilities Master Plan and others. Above all, the Business Plan provides a course of action that ensures we properly invest in the systems we are charged with maintaining and improving. The Plan is not free. There is a cost to provide the level of service and investment necessary to adequately manage the system. I firmly believe the Plan and the associated rate impacts are appropriate and prudent. I want to thank you, our customers, for trusting us with your water and wastewater systems. We don't take the responsibility lightly. We look forward to the successful implementations of this Plan and continued investment in your water district. Best Regards, Allen Carlisle CEO/General Manager