Wastewater board shifts $43,797 between master plans as Greenspot cost worries surface

The Big Bear Area Regional Wastewater Agency's Governing Board unanimously approved moving $43,797 within its Capital Budget at a special meeting on September 28, 2026, shifting the money from the Collection System Master Plan to the Wastewater Treatment and Outfall Line Master Plan^[1]. The meeting began at 5:00 p.m. at the agency's offices at 121 Palomino Drive in Big Bear City^[1]. The amount is small, but board members used the meeting to raise concerns about the cost and financing of the Greenspot Recharge Project^[1].

What the board decided

The reallocation passed 5-0, with Directors Herrick, Russo, Sauer, Segovia and Walsh all voting yes^[1]. According to the minutes, General Manager David Lawrence described the work covered by both master plans and the reason for the reallocation, and public comments were heard on the item^[1]. The minutes do not summarize his explanation or record what members of the public said, so the reason for the shift is not spelled out in the public record.

Concerns about the Greenspot project

Under board comments, the minutes say members raised "concerns regarding potential increases to the overall cost of the Greenspot Recharge Project, the total interest cost of financing the project, and the importance of intergenerational equity"^[1]. The minutes do not give a project cost, a financing figure or the name of the member who spoke. Earlier in the meeting, the General Manager also gave a report highlighting progress on the project^[1].

Erwin Lake turnout

The sign-in sheet lists 15 members of the public, nearly all of them from Erwin Lake. The others listed Big Bear City, Sugarloaf and Big Bear Lake as home^[1]. The minutes show that public comments were heard during the general public forum and again on the reallocation item, but they do not record what was said^[1].

Other business

The board approved its consent calendar 5-0. It included the August 26, 2026 meeting minutes, the monthly disbursements report, the investment report and carryover appropriations^[1]. Board members and the General Manager also congratulated Director Andrew Sauer on one year of service, and Chair Kendi Segovia adjourned the meeting at 6:02 p.m.^[1]

What's next

The minutes do not list a next meeting date. Residents who want the full record can find this meeting's minutes, which run to pages 242 through 244 of a larger agenda packet, among the agency's board agenda materials^[1].