The Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency’s board of directors voted Tuesday to revise its per-diem payment and reimbursement policy for board members attending industry-related meetings and conferences.

The board’s move is part of its effort to further the goals of efficiencies, effectiveness and transparency in the newly created regional water agency.

The revised payment and reimbursement policy will result in a minimum of $1.3 million in savings in the first 10 years, according to SCV Water. This factors in the reduction in board members by 43 percent scheduled over the next four years.

The new policy provides a list of pre-approved meetings, conferences and events for which directors may receive a per diem payment of $228.15 upon reporting back on their attendance and the value gained for the agency.

These include meetings and conferences of regional and statewide water industry associations, where directors may represent SCV Water as well as educate themselves on the latest trends and issues in water.

The policy also allows directors to engage with the community at local events such as Chamber of Commerce and VIA membership meetings and the State of the County Address.

The policy includes limits of three multi-day and 12 single-day events per year, with a ceiling of 10 meetings per month. Any meeting or event not on the pre-approved list must be requested of the board at a public meeting, where the board will take into consideration the cost of the event and the benefit to the agency.

See pages 23-32 of the July 17 Meeting Agenda for the complete revised payment and reimbursement policy.