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OCN > 2601 > Donala Water and Sanitation District, Dec. 11 – 2026 budget adopted

Donala Water and Sanitation District, Dec. 11 – 2026 budget adopted

Highlights

  • The Donala Water and Sanitation District finished its 2026 budget process, set fees and mill levies, appointed a DWSD representative to the Loop Water Authority, discussed security upgrades, and planned to search for a new general manager.
  • The 2026 budget includes 5% rate increases for water and sewer, with operating and administrative expenses projected at $7.1 million and debt service at $751,000, while capital projects are expected to cost about $1.8 million and total revenue is estimated at $11.6 million.
  • Mill levies were set: 21.296 mills for the bulk of the district and 10.648 mills for six properties near Stuthers Loop that receive only water service from DWSD, with both levies approved unanimously.
  • Director William George was appointed to represent DWSD on the Loop Water Authority board, replacing Jeff Hodge who is on paid administrative leave, while Christina Hawker will remain a second DWSD representative and Cade Pennington will be the alternate.
  • In other business, the board debated security upgrades and authorized Hawker to obtain an upgrade plan with two quotes, noting a recent alarm event, EPA compliance needs, and a potential cost range from $47,000 to $150,000.
  • The meeting also covered operational reports, such as potential grant reimbursement for Well 7D, a ranch trespass issue near Willow Creek Ranch, manganese reporting concerns, and routine treatment plant maintenance, ending with an executive session about a water court case.
  • The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 15 at 1:30 p.m., with details available through DWSD's website or by phone.

By James Howald and Jackie Burhans

In December, the Donala Water and Sanitation District (DWSD) board completed work on the district’s 2026 budget and set its fees and mill levies. It appointed a new member to the Loop Water Authority’s board and discussed upgrades to its security. The board heard operational reports and set a goal to begin a search for a new general manager. The meeting ended with an executive session.

2026 budget wrapped up

Board President Wayne Vanderschuere opened a public hearing on the budget, rates, and fees for 2026.

Interim General Manager Christina Hawker said the budget includes 5% rate increases for water and sewer service as discussed in previous meetings.

The Budget Message included in the packet for the meeting notes that the district’s operating and administrative expenditures are anticipated to be $7.1 million, with $751,000 earmarked for long-term debt service payments. Capital improvement projects, including tank and well rehabilitation, sewer line inspections, and water rights expenses, are expected to cost $1.8 million. Total operating and non-operating revenue is estimated at $11.6 million.

Following Hawker’s presentation, the board voted to approve Resolution 2025-8, which adopts the budget and Resolution 2205-9, which appropriates the required funds.

Mill levies set

Resolution 2025-10, which the board passed unanimously, sets the mill levy for the bulk of the district at 21.296 mills. Resolution 2025-11, also passed unanimously, sets the mill levy for six properties near Stuthers Loop at 10.648 mills. Those properties have a lower mill levy because they receive only water service from DWSD.

Director appointed to Loop board

The board appointed Director William George to represent DWSD on the Loop Water Authority board, replacing General Manager Jeff Hodge, who is on paid administrative leave (see https://wp.ocn.me/v25n9dwsd/ for details). Hawker will continue as DWSD’s second representative on the Loop board. Water Operator Cade Pennington is DWSD’s alternate.

New general manager sought

During Director’s Comments, Vanderschuere asked the board to begin thinking about how to appoint a new permanent general manager in the first quarter of 2026.

Security upgrade

Hawker told the board she had been looking into improving the district’s physical security and its emergency response plan. Because the cost might exceed $50,000, Hawker required board approval and two quotes for the work. Hawker said a recent alarm event brought to her attention a gap in the district’s camera footage, and the Environmental Protection Agency is putting rules in place in 2026 with which DWSD’s emergency response plan must comply.

Hawker said the quotes for the work were far apart; the lower was $47,000 and the higher was $150,000. The board voted to authorize Hawker to continue her comparison and move forward with the best option.

Operational reports

In her acting general manager’s report, Hawker mentioned she was trying to determine if Well 7D is eligible for reimbursement under a grant for radium abatement.

Hawker said she had received a call from a trusted source regarding unauthorized hunting on the district’s Willow Creek Ranch. The board recently discussed granting access to the ranch to nearby residents in return for their agreeing to contact the district in the event of unauthorized uses of the ranch. Hawker contacted Colorado Parks and Wildlife to begin a poaching investigation and advised the board to press trespassing charges. She said she had communicated with the person in question to let him know he did not have permission to use the ranch.

Hawker noted that high manganese levels had initiated a Discharge Monitoring Report, but Waste Plant Operator Aaron Tolman believed the reporting method had been misinterpreted and the district was not in violation.

In his report, Tolman said he was working on clarifying the manganese reporting, and all other wastewater measurements were within limits.

Superintendent of Water Operations Ronny Wright noted that water sales were slow. He reported on an issue with a hatch gasket on a water storage tank that required the tank to be disinfected and refilled. He said the Holbein treatment plant and the R. Hull treatment plant were scheduled for backwashing and filter replacement over the next few months.

Executive session

The meeting ended with an executive session to confer with legal counsel regarding the district’s pending water court application in Case 24CW3019. No actions were taken following the executive session.

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The next board meeting is on Thursday, Jan. 15, at 1:30 p.m. Generally, board meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month at 1:30 p.m. and include online access; call (719) 488-3603 or access www.donalawater.org to receive up-to-date meeting information. The district office is located at 15850 Holbein Drive, Colorado Springs.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me. Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me

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