Michael Sauer

The meeting included discussions and actions related to financial matters, including opening accounts with Pacific Western Bank, addressing interest earnings on county funds, and approving the 2024-2025 budget. A concern over plot occupancy was reviewed, with the General Manager offering solutions to the certificate holder. The board reviewed an updated employee handbook section of the policy manual for approval at the next meeting. Additionally, the board addressed potential initiation of litigation in a closed session and reviewed student submissions of MVCD logo entries.

The meeting included public comments, the approval of the agenda, consent calendar items (acceptance of minutes, approval of disbursements, and filing of financial statements), and various announcements. Discussion topics involved determining new trustee photos, planning upcoming Murrieta Market Nights events, providing direction on Trustee/staff attendance at external events like the Veteran Breakfast and Brookdale Quarterly in service, and setting a date for CPR and First Aid training. General Manager reports covered a financial recap and a recommendation to invest in streamlining ADA compliance services. Action was taken to set two board meeting dates for January 2026.

The agenda for the Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees included several items. Under the Consent Calendar, actions involved accepting minutes, approving disbursements, and receiving/filing financial statements. Discussion items centered on planning for a CPR class (January 30th date or February options), reviewing community outreach efforts, considering attendance at the Colony Veteran Breakfast, planning for Murrieta Market Nights, coordinating the Brookdale outreach event, discussing interest in an Art Walk from Aimee Edgeworth, addressing the 700 form electronic filing requirement, setting 2026 Professional Development dates, and reviewing blocked fraudulent check attempts. Action items included setting board meeting dates for 2026, approving invoices for NutrienAg and Polyguard burial vault, and holding an election for the Chair and Vice-Chair trustee positions. Closed session items were scheduled for performance evaluations of the General Manager and Office Manager.

The Board of Trustees meeting included the approval of the agenda, consent calendar items (Accepting Minutes, Approving Disbursements, and Receiving/Filing Financial Statements), and announcements regarding Veteran's Day Parade participation. Key discussion items involved a resolution update regarding age for residency eligibility for adult child interment, which the Board accepted. Reports covered monthly updates on revenues, families served, digitized files, financial statements, the Wreaths Across America update, and a recap of the Murrieta Market Night. The General Manager also provided updates on a new bank account, bank fraud concerns, a financial recap, and a scheduled second fire inspection. Action items included the approval of a payment to the accountant for the 2024/2025 financial audit and the approval of an invoice for burial vaults. A Public Employee Performance Evaluation for the General Manager was conducted in a closed session with no reportable action upon exiting. Future agenda items noted were Professional Development assessment, the 2026 Budget, 2026 board meeting dates, and updated training for CPR/Active Shooter.

During the special meeting, the Board of Trustees conducted virtual interviews with two applicants for Trustee positions. Following the interviews, action was taken to select an applicant recommendation list to be forwarded to the County Supervisor's office, specifying the recommended order as Penko, Barton, and Wickman.