A topic that has been in discussion for some time regarding the potential relocation of the Oakdale Irrigation District’s headquarters, as it outgrows its office and land space in the center of town at the intersection of F Street and Johnson Avenue, was on the agenda again at the June 5 regular meeting of the OID Board of Directors.
OID General Manager Steve Knell reported that later this week, on June 8, three parcels south of Greger Road and east of Kaufman Road that have been purchased by OID will close escrow. He said that if the district’s intent is to relocate then they’re going to look at what other irrigation districts have done when building or moving into new facilities. Knell added that there are some other options with the land such as leveraging it with a developer or selling it outright. He noted that they’re also going to do some research on design/build contracting.
Director Frank Clark commented that developers are interested in the land east of the city’s corridor. He also stated that he doesn’t foresee a new OID facility for at least four to five years.
Director Steve Webb asked if the district should let the land sit for future expansion.
Knell posed the question of another option for selling the land, asking if it would be better to parcel it out or sell it as a whole.
Clark added that he’d like to see the buildings on the property knocked down and cleaned up once OID takes possession.
In business items, the board heard a report from the district’s auditor Brian Nash of Richardson and Company regarding the 2011 draft comprehensive annual financial report, as well as the OID’s improvement districts’ draft annual financial report. Nash said that there was a clean opinion for both reports and no difficulties in performing the audit. He added that the audit went very well and that there weren’t any audit adjustments, which he said, is very unusual, especially for government entities.
Nash noted that there was one comment this year – regarding the OID’s Highmark money market fund exceeding governmental limits. He added that last year’s comments had been implemented.
The directors unanimously approved accepting the draft 2011 financial reports. The reports are available to the public upon request.
In another action, the board approved a resolution in adopting a revised investment policy for 2012, which included moving money out of the Highmark Money Market Fund.
