President (county vote)

Scotts Valley Water District’s board of directors will host a public hearing at 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 12, after which it will consider adoption of proposed water rate increases and changes to the water rate structure.

Quick response and some patient police work in Scotts Valley last week resulted in a suspected thief being caught almost red-handed.

The lack of qualified applicants for a new deputy city manager position in Scotts Valley means the city will have to wait until at least next summer to fill the post, according to City Manager Jenny Haruyama.Haruyama isn’t waiting, however, to get assistance for a wide range of City Hall projects on her to-do list for the New Year.She has entered into a contract for $100,000 in professional  services from ith national consulting firm Management Partners.The city had posted ads for the vacant position shortly after Haruyama took the helm last summer. Out of numerous applicants — all from California — three prospective candidates were interviewed. The new city manager was not impressed.“The candidates that were interviewed did not have the technical experience or depth needed in the area of finance and budget,” Haruyama said.Haruyama has held similar positions in three California cities.Steve Toler, a former assistant city manager and finance director, is the consultant who will be on site 20 hours a week for Haruyama and her staff.The city will also have access to several other Management Partner consultants who will provide project and analytical support as part of the contract, she said.The scope of work includes engaging employees in budget education, training,  employee outreach, developing financial forecasts, conducting fee studies, and evaluating budget documents.“Taking steps to ensure that a strong financial management structure is in place, coupled with the implementation of budget development best practices will better position the city when it conducts its subsequent recruitment for a deputy city manager,” Haruyama told the city council at its Nov. 16 meeting.The contract cost will be covered through savings generated by the budgeted deputy city manager vacancy.About $135,718 (salary and benefits) was budgeted as part of the current operating budget. The remaining salary savings will be $35,718.Management Partners was founded in 1994 to help local government leaders improve their service to the public.The consulting firm has offices in San Jose, Costa Mesa and Cincinnati.

The City of Scotts Valley is learning that grabbing social media market share can be tough for a public agency.