Spring is here and we are happy to have the warm days full of sunshine. The Inverness Public Utility District has been busy during the past 6 months with improvements made to continue providing the most we can to the community. Our partnerships with local, regional and County and State agencies make our area safer and more resilient.  

Honoring Decades of Service and Welcoming New Leadership

The year 2025 marked a significant transition for our District as we celebrated the retirement of two long‑time employees whose dedication and service have shaped the foundation of our water and fire departments. At the same time, we proudly welcomed the next generation of leadership committed to carrying that legacy forward.

Brothers Ken Fox and Jim Fox, who both began their service with the District in the mid‑1980s, retired after more than four decades of combined contributions to the community of Inverness.
Ken Fox served the District for over 40 years, contributing not only as a valued staff member but also as a Volunteer Firefighter. His extensive knowledge of our water distribution and treatment systems ensured the reliable operation of essential services and supported the District through decades of growth and change.

Jim Fox played a key role in both the administrative and operational sides of the water system. Like his brother, he served as a Volunteer Firefighter and rose to the position of Fire Chief following the retirement of former Chief Michael Meszaros. Jim’s leadership, technical expertise, and commitment to public service strengthened the District’s emergency response capabilities and left a lasting impact on the community.

Together, Ken and Jim have dedicated their professional lives to Inverness. Their service, passion, and deep community ties have built a solid and enduring foundation for the future of our water and fire services. We extend our heartfelt gratitude and warmest wishes to both of them in their well‑earned retirement.

As we honor their legacy, we also look to the future with confidence and optimism. David Briggs, formerly Assistant Fire Chief, has been promoted to Fire Chief. David brings strong operational experience, thoughtful leadership, and a deep commitment to community safety. The District is grateful for his steady presence and is confident he will continue to strengthen and guide our fire services.

In the water department, we are pleased to introduce Richard Perez, who has served as the District’s Water Superintendent since September 2025. Richard brings extensive experience in water system operations, maintenance, and regulatory compliance. His hands‑on expertise and knowledge of distribution and treatment processes make him a vital leader as the District continues its mission of delivering safe, reliable water to Inverness residents.

With gratitude for the past and enthusiasm for the future, the District extends its appreciation to the Fox brothers for their decades of service and welcomes Chief Briggs and Superintendent Perez as they carry our shared mission forward.

Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority and Fire Safe Marin have announced Pre-season signups will be opening on March 9th for all residents.

Property owners and residents are encouraged to visit chipperday.com/marin on or after March 9th and enter their address to view all available events in their area. 

They will once again deliver a total of 30 weeks of chipping service during the season and, the program will follow the same rotating schedule as it did last year, resulting in residents having the opportunity to receive pickup roughly once every five weeks.

 

Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority - February 2026 Report

Did you know Inverness is a Fire Wise Safe Community? 

 

Each year, dedicated community members work to ensure Inverness maintains it's certification by ensuring public informational resources, documentation of home hardening activities and efforts to make our community safer. Some homeowner insurance agencies provide an opportunity for a discount for Fire Wise Safe communities. The certificate is available on the IPUD website here. If you have a question about Inverness Fire Wise, contact firewiseinverness@gmail.com.

 

Water System Update: Tank Replacement Projects are complete.

With a generous grant from the California State Department of Water Resources, we were able to replace the last of the Redwood water tanks at both the Colby tank site on Perth Road and The Seahaven tank site on Via de la Vista. 

The project faced challenges with design, weather conditions and a shortened project window, but with the determination and expertise of Jim Fox working with our Engineering Firm, Brelje & Race Engineers and Piazza Construction, we were able to complete the project by the deadline of February 28th.

The cooperation and patience of the property owneras adjacent to and near both tank sites was also instrumental in our success and we want to express our gratitude.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disaster Preparedness, Inverness Disaster Council and West Marin Community Resilience Team:

The District sponsors the activities of the Inverness Disaster Council (IDC) and collaborates with the West Marin Community Resilience Team (CRT) We have a dedictaed group of community members who volunteer with the IDC.  Both organzations provide resources for community members to be prepared for emergencies.  In the coming months, we will be sharing ways to get involved, update your emergency contact information and learn more from your Neighborhhod Liasons and Area Coordinators. See the links above for more information about both the Inverness Disaster Council and the West Marin CRT and stay tuned for more information.