Since being hired as McCloud’s General Manager in October 2024, Steven Ramos has implemented new protocols to address the past significant mismanagement within the district. His findings indicate that previous practices failed to follow up on outstanding accounts and neglected essential infrastructure maintenance. Ramos has publicly provided an update regarding the current management and oversight of the past McCloud Services District. He has hired new staff to maintain the town’s finances, bookkeeping, and also hired an administrative assistant. There is now a protocol for delinquent bills for services rendered, so no accounts will go unnoticed where back fees become astronomical like in a recent case where there was a lawsuit against the district for huge delinquent bills and mismanaged fees.
In the hearing, it was found that there were no SB998 violations made by the McCloud Services District in this case, but now there are new policies in place to arrange payments, regular notifications and reminders for arrangements at 60 days, then at 7 days, and then a 48 hour notice, before services, like water and trash, are shut off and a lean recorded to the county.
There are now monthly reviews provided by the financial officer. A rate study agency evaluated and assessed the median household income to figure out the cost of the District billing which includes water, sewer, refuse, street lights and alley maintenance/snow removal, along with upkeep on the library and park.
Ramos says that there are now just 35 delinquent accounts over 60 days out of approximately 720 households. Residents have the option to set up a meeting to make arrangements and can seek appeal from the board and sign a payment arrangement plan. The regular committee meetings are open discussions. He has forgiven thousands of dollars because of past mismanaged and overcharged fees already from 2022 and 2023;.
The grant for replacing the Elk Spring pipeline that provides the town’s water supply was already 3 years old and about to expire, but Ramos got an extension, developed plans, and completed the project. McCloud would have lost the 3 million if he had not taken action. Other issues he is working on are acquiring grants to upgrade the Public Works building which is so outdated that they no longer have phone service and use their own personal cell phones. Ramos also brings in his personal computer in the office and uses his own vehicle to make bank deposits and other Services District business. He is working on improving the green waste area to prevent unauthorized use and disposal of oversized items. Also, he is working on acquiring internet service to provide zoom capabilities for residents to attend the monthly meetings. “All this time and effort is costly,” says Ramos. Outside of the McCloud Fire Department, there are only 8 full time employees, one seasonal worker to maintain the park, and a part time janitor. Library staff are all volunteers. All of the employees and board members for McCloud are local and also pay for and utilize the town’s services.
4 Comments
MCSD was in violation of sb998. The judge ruled the contract was invalid when Steven Ramos admitted he made a mistake and made the payments for 18 months when he didn’t have that authority. The judge found the contract invalid . Because Ms Hickman was denied an appeal,and Steven Ramos ordered her water off MCSD was in violation. Under sb998 ‘ water can not be shut off when an appeal was requested ” it was denied. If the judge found that not true he would not have said ” this is a poorly written contract and there’s damages here ” he went off the record to discuss the enormous payments he was trying to force Ms Hickman in when she couldn’t afford them. Ms Hickman was definitely damaged as well as so many other people in the community. Steven Ramos forgiveness is removing errors not forgiving .
I was on the zoom and that’s not what the judge said.
The judge granted the injunction against MCSD and moved it over to a preliminary injunction.
FACT CHECK- contract invalid
FACT CHECK- Steven Ramos admitted under oath he was not authorized to place Jolie Hickman in an 18 month contract and his calculations were wrong and he made a mistake and thought Jolie Hickman signed page 2 but the judge waved it in the air and said ” no she didn’t”
FACT CHECK – Jolie Hickman was denied the right to an appeal
FACT CHECK- Under the Disability Act SB998 water can not be turned off if the bill is disputed regardless if it’s 60 days late
FACT CHECK- MCSD failed to follow their own rules and regulations forcing the shutoff of homes to seniors, disabled, veterans and overcharging them and blaming it on past employees – when alot of over charging has been happening since Steven Ramos started in October 2024
Fact remains- MCSD violated Jolie Hickman rights under sb998 .
I was also on Zoom for this court hearing and that is what the Judge said. Pretty loud and clear actually. It’s too bad she lied under oath and stated she never got the second page of that contract, yet there it was in the news article she had Jay wrote. Hmmm…
Stephanie, I didn’t see your picture in this article as a staff member, how do you know some of this information you are saying is FACTS.
Hi Mallory- Steven Ramos emailed me the 2nd page-and Jay was in my home when I received the email.