IRWD Purchasing Team Wins Honors
The Irvine Ranch Water District has received the Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award from the National Purchasing Institute for thetenth consecutive year. The award is given to organizations that score high in levels of innovation, professionalism, e-procurement, productivity and leadership attributes of the procurement function. Being efficient with time and money helps keep IRWD rates among the lowest in Orange County.
“Winning this prestigious award for a tenth year is thrilling,” said Alex Aguilar, IRWD Purchasing Manager. “It validates the fact that the District is dedicated to constantly improving how we do business and challenges us to continue to lead the industry with our efficient and effective purchasing practices.”
Whether it’s a water meter or a ream of paper, the IRWD Purchasing Department is ready to procure and manage thousands of items needed to keep the District up and running daily. Since IRWD provides drinking water, wastewater treatment, recycled water and urban runoff cleanup, the 10-member team needs to be knowledgeable in all aspects of the water business. Being prepared for quick access to the right products and services saves time and money. This award showcases IRWD’s success in maintaining a fine balance between having the right supply level so District resources aren’t tied up in excess inventory and making sure that materials don’t have the chance to become outdated.
The National Program to Benchmark Organizational Excellence in Procurement - In 1995, the National Purchasing Institute established a program designed to recognize organizational excellence in public procurement. The Achievement of Excellence in Procurement® (AEP) is awarded annually. This prestigious award is earned by those organizations that demonstrate excellence by obtaining a high score based on standardized criteria. The criteria are designed to measure innovation, professionalism, productivity, e-procurement, and leadership attributes of the procurement organization.
Companies/vendors with interest in doing business with IRWD can get prequalified on the District’s website or contact the IRWD Purchasing Department at (949) 453-5718 or purchasingdept@irwd.com
IRWD Comprehensive Annual Financial Report Released
Irvine Ranch Water District has posted online the 2010-2011 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. “Timely and accurate reporting is crucial in making sound financial decisions, providing the transparency that rate payers expect and maximizing District resources.” said Debby Cherney, IRWD Director of Finance.
The IRWD CAFR offers a big-picture look at all aspects of the District’s operations, including the budgeting and planning process, discussion of the IRWD assets, and a host of statistical information. It goes into much more detail than a traditional annual report and highlights major projects and initiatives in addition to financial data.
The CAFR has been the choice of public agencies since it was established in 1945 by the Government Finance Officers Association. IRWD has earned the prestigious Certificate of Achievement for Excellence for the past seven years. The award recognizes governments whose CAFRs achieve the highest standards in government accounting and financial reporting.
To download the CAFR or learn more about IRWD prudent financial planning, please visit the IRWD website.
Water Mainline Leak in Orange Park Acres
This morning at 10, IRWD crews responded to a leak on Amapola Street in Orange Park Acres. They discovered that the eight-inch riveted steel pipe on Amapola was leaking. Customers on Amapola Street between Orange Park Boulevard and Ranchwood are out of water. Customers may expect to have their water service restored this evening. For more information, please call IRWD at (949) 453-5300.
Water Service Restored in Orange Park Acres
As of 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 19, water service was restored to Irvine Ranch Water District customers on Amapola Street between Orange Park Boulevard and Ranchwood in Orange Park Acres. IRWD thanks our customers for your patience while this repair was taking place.
Customers can learn more about current and planned water system improvements in the OPA area by visiting the IRWD website.
IRWD Board Names New President and Vice President
The Irvine Ranch Water District Board of Directors selected Steven E. LaMar to serve as President and Mary Aileen Matheis to serve as Vice President at its organizational meeting on January 14.
LaMar was appointed to the board in February 2009 to fill a vacancy and was subsequently elected to a four-year term in 2010. He is a water policy and planning expert with more than 20 years of experience on statewide business and industry committees and has directly participated in many major water policy forums. He has served on statewide task forces and advisory committees on drought planning, desalination, the California Bay-Delta, the California Water Plan on water reliability and conservation issues.
La Mar is president and owner of LegiSight, LLC, in Tustin. He is also a principal for Spinner LaMar Associates since 1993. He has served as a water policy leader in the California Building Industry Association for 20 years.
Matheis has served on the board since 1988 when she was appointed to fill an unexpired term. She has successfully run in the general election years. She served as President in 2001. She has served on several standing committees and currently is the Chairman of the Water Resources, Environmental and Government Policy Committee.
Matheis also represents the District on the Southern California Water Committee and on the Board of the Urban Water Institute. She is a member of the Advisory Committee to the University of California Urban Water Research Center. She is President of Shadetree Partnership, an environmental non-profit dedicated to distributing and planting native trees and shrubs throughout Orange County. She was recently appointed to the Board of Directors for the Water Education Foundation
A practicing lawyer, Matheis is a member of the Orange County Bar Association and a member of the Orange County Association of Realtors.
The IRWD Board meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month at 5 p.m. at IRWD headquarters, 15600 Sand Canyon Avenue, Irvine.
