Bebee selected as FPUD's general manager

Jack Bebee has been selected as the Fallbrook Public Utility District's general manager.

Bebee had been FPUD's acting general manager since late 2017, but the district needed to undergo the formal process to replace Brian Brady. A 5-0 FPUD board vote Aug. 27 chose Bebee as the general manager and approved his contract.

"I just appreciate the confidence of the board that selected me for the position to be able to help implement the policies and move the district forward in a positive direction," said Bebee. "I'm looking forward to filling the position permanently and taking on the position in a permanent role."

Brady officially retired Jan. 12, but in his final months with FPUD he focused on external matters and Bebee was given the title of acting general manager.

Bebee was raised in the Chicago suburb of Lake Bluff. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in physics from Washington and Lee University in 1998 and his Master of Science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Illinois in 2000. Malcolm Pirnie, Inc., hired Bebee after he received his graduate degree and based him in the firm's Carlsbad office. Bebee's activity with Malcolm Pirnie included working on FPUD's ultraviolet disinfection facility at Red Mountain.

FPUD chief engineer Joe Jackson retired in October 2009 and FPUD engineering manager Mike Page retired in February 2010. Bebee was hired by FPUD in 2009 to fill the consolidated position and originally held the title of engineering and planning manager. FPUD added the operations of the district's wastewater treatment plant to Bebee's responsibilities in 2013 and changed his title to assistant general manager.

Bebee's initial annual salary will be $220,147 although a clause in his contract deducts $1,800 of that and gives him $218,347 from the district if Bebee is FPUD's representative on the San Diego County Water Authority board and collects per diem pay for SDCWA meetings. The CWA member agency's governing body appoints the CWA board member, and Dec. 11, 2017, FPUD's board voted 5-0 to designate Bebee as Brady's replacement on the CWA board. Bebee was seated at the Jan. 25 SDCWA meeting and is currently on the CWA's Engineering and Operations Committee and the Water Planning Committee. CWA board seats have specific six-year terms, although board members can be reappointed or leave before the end of a term. Bebee's term runs through July 14, 2022.

Bebee is also on the Special Districts Advisory Committee of San Diego County's Local Agency Formation Commission. Members of the 16-member (in the absence of vacancies) advisory committee can be either board members or staff of an independent (voter-elected) special district. Bebee was elected to the Special Districts Advisory Committee in 2016. The Special Districts Advisory Committee makes recommendations for the LAFCO board to consider. Bebee's contract does not specifically reference the Special Districts Advisory Committee but states that he cannot serve on any CWA committees or on any committees or boards of other agencies or entities related to FPUD business without prior approval from the FPUD board.

Although Bebee will not be reimbursed for mileage incurred while on FPUD business he will receive a monthly vehicle allowance of $604.17 and will also receive a $75 monthly cellphone reimbursement payment. FPUD will also pay Bebee's dues for professional organizations related to FPUD and will pay for subscriptions to publications and for conferences necessary or desirable for professional development.