Sewer manager to retire
At the end of this month the Lakeside County Water and Sewer District will lose a figure who has been an active presence in its management nearly since its creation.
General manager Jim Heim, who has been a part of the water and sewer district for 20 years, will retire June 30.
Heim first served on the board in December 1990, filling a vacant post. In 1994, he resigned as board president to become an employee of the district and has been managing it ever since.
He's seen changes and growth during his years with the district, which almost reach back to its beginning in 1988. When he first joined the board, it was just a sewer district.
The water and sewer districts merged later by a vote of the residents. That was one of the major changes Heim has had to oversee.
During his time with the sewer district, he's seen the number of connections more than double, from 400 to 900.
In total, he has had roughly $13 million in assets to manage; though, he notes, it would cost triple that to replace all of it today.*
"The public has been very supportive of improving the quality on the lake shore," Heim said, noting that in addition to cost it was one of the primary reasons for a sewer district in the first place.
With the sewer district, however, came the possibility of increased density, which Heim said hasn't been received well by some of the long-term resident, but the district has an obligation to fulfill the need.
Now that growth has slowed, Heim said he and the district have taken advantage of this time to take some technological strides, including the use of automated water readings. That process now takes three hours with a computer as opposed to taking three people three days to go out to all of the properties to check the water readings, not including the input time back at the office.
Surveillance controls, sensors and alarm monitors have also been installed to give readings on all of the district's pumping stations. An asset management system is now being used to track maintenance and trouble tickets. This allows operators to be dispatched more quickly and easily to deal with problems.
"When growth is slow, we are able to do all of this," Heim said. "We are positioned now for the next growth hit and with the work we have done we can take it on."
Heim said the district is in good shape financially. In fact, he takes pride in the fact that money from growth has helped the district be proactive without having to go back to its customers for support. There also hasn't been significant raise in rates since 1997, he said, and there have been some decreases.
"It's a sad day to see him leave," current board president Marc Liechti said. "We understand he deserves his second retirement…. A very large portion of the district being in such a good position for the possible future now is a result of Jim's management skills."
This isn't his first retirement. Heim previously retired from Bell telephones after 25 years with that utility service. Now at the district employment was purposely expanded anticipating his retirement.
"It's just a good time for me to exit," Heim said. "It's in good hands."
Systems operations supervisor Rodney Olson will step into Heim's role, with additional support from administrative supervisor Delores Webb.
"I feel honored with filling the size 13 shoes that have been here 20 years," Olson said. "He's done such a great job taking it (the district) where it is."
Olson has been with the district for two years.
"I've been excited to be a part of where the district is and where it is going to go from here," he said.
Heim's employees say his absence will be felt.
"I don't want him to go," Webb said. "He deserves it. He's been here a long time. He will be missed for sure by lots of people."
A barbecue will be held in honor of Heim from noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 30, at the sewer district office, located at 253 Bierney Road in Lakeside.
*Correction: In the original posting, the dollar amount of the district's assets was misstated. The district has roughly $13 million in assets.