When the lights are on, everyone sees clearly. When they’re off, decisions get made in the dark — and trust fades.
Millions Spent, but Little to See
Every year, PAWSD manages $56 million in water and sewer services for our community.
That’s nearly the same budget as the Pagosa Springs Medical Center (PSMC), which operates our regional hospital.
But here’s the problem:
- PSMC provides detailed monthly financial reports and structured updates from multiple committees.
- PAWSD provides none.
For ratepayers, that means decisions are being made without clear reporting on how funds are spent, how much cash is on hand, or where projects stand.
When the lights go out on transparency, it’s easy for confusion — and mistrust — to grow.
A Tale of Two Boards
Here’s a quick side-by-side comparison of how the two districts handle transparency and governance:
| Practice | PSMC (Hospital District) ✅ | PAWSD (Water District) ❌ |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Financial Reports | Yes – Budget vs. actual, cash reserves, revenue trends | No – None provided |
| Committee Written Reports | Yes – Finance, Facilities, Strategic Planning, Medical Staff | No |
| Consent Agenda for Routine Items | Yes – Streamlined approvals save time | No – Every item takes up board time |
| Public Comment Rules | Clear and structured | Unclear / informal |
| Archived Packets | Yes – Easy for public review | No – Not preserved online; Board minutes haven’t been posted for eight months. |
Why This Matters
Without transparency, ratepayers can’t answer simple questions like:
- How much cash does PAWSD have on hand?
- What are the current costs of water production or leak repairs?
- Which capital projects are on schedule and on budget?
- How much has been spent on affordable housing over time, and what are the affordable housing water and sewer fund balances?
Example: In August, PSMC’s report showed they had 109.5 days of cash on hand,
plus upcoming challenges related to Medicaid revenue.PAWSD? No data was provided — not even a simple budget vs. actual summary.
How PAWSD Can Improve
Our local water district can make immediate changes to increase accountability and public trust.
Here are four top recommendations:
| Priority | Recommendation | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| High | Add monthly financial summaries with key metrics | Better oversight and accountability |
| High | Require Finance & Infrastructure Committees to submit written reports | Streamlined, informed decision-making |
| Medium | Adopt a Consent Agenda for routine approvals | Faster, more focused board meetings |
| Medium | Provide narrative context for each decision item | Increased public understanding |
Bringing the Lights Back On
Transparency isn’t just a best practice — it’s a responsibility when managing millions of dollars in taxpayer and ratepayer funds.
When public boards operate like PSMC, with clear reporting and open communication, trust grows.
When they don’t, ratepayers are left in the dark.
Take Action
You can help bring accountability to PAWSD:
- Attend a board meeting – Check the schedule
here. - Sign up for updates – Get transparency news at
pausepawsd.com. - Ask questions – Request financial reports and committee updates directly from the district.
The more our community shines a light on local governance, the stronger and more transparent our district will become.
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