Director suggests board suspend medical benefits

By Karen Brainard

Ramona Municipal Water District Director Joe Zenovic suggested water board members suspend their option of district-paid medical benefits for two or three years to save money. Zenovic brought the item up after the board briefly reconvened its April 24 meeting, following a closed session.

The five directors have the option of signing up for medical, dental, and vision benefits through the water district and at no charge to them. Spouses and family members of the directors can sign up at the district’s group rate, said RMWD General Manager David Barnum.

Zenovic asked Barnum to put together an estimate of the savings.

“Maybe we can save some money,” Zenovic said, adding that it would also show goodwill toward employees and ratepayers.

Barnum said he will include his report on estimated savings with his budget workshop presentation at the next board meeting on May 8. Zenovic said he would like to have the item put on the May 8 agenda for a vote.

Barnum told the Sentinel that to suspend the medical benefits of all five directors could save tens of thousands of dollars per year. He said that three of the district’s five directors currently accept benefits: Zenovic, Bryan Wadlington, and Kit Kesinger.

The board meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 4:30 p.m. at the Ramona Community Center, 434 Aqua Lane.