2025 HR Insider Newsletter

Winter 2025

Insider Human Resources

Creativity | Collaboration | Integrity | Stewardship | Professionalism | Science-Based

PAGE 3 HRA Runoff Period And Claim Substantia - tion Reminder

PAGE 4 Discover Well onTar - get Program with Blue Cross Blue Shield

PAGE 6 Understanding Jury Duty: Your Rights and Responsibilites

PAGE 10 New EAA Logo - How

to add it to your Sharepoint Site

Winter 2025

BENEFITS

Y our 2025 Health Reimbursment Account funds became available on January 1, 2025. Your 2025 HRA amount is tied to the medical plan you selected during open enrollment or as a new hire. See table be- low for contribution amounts. HRA Runoff & Claim Substantiation Reminder

You can view your balance by logging in to your Proficient account at Proficient- Connect.com. If you have unused funds in your 2024 HRA accounts, your funds will roll over at the end of April to your 2025 account after the 90-day run-off pe- riod has ended. The deadline to submit re-

imbursement claims or substation for expenses incurred in 2024 is March 31, 2025. To submit a reimbursement during the run-off period, submit your claim information through ProficientCon- nect.com or by downloading the Proficient Connect app. Claim Substantiation If you have claims that require substantiation such a receipt, in- voice or EOB, please submit them as soon as possible. A delay in the upload of the substantiation will cause a delay in HRA roll- overs for all staff. HR will be in contact with you in March if you have claims that require substantiation. If the substantiation is not submitted, you will need to pay back the amount of your claims via check or money order. HDHP Plan 2024 HRA CONTRIBUTION BCBS HDHP BCBS PPO MEDICAL $3,499.99 $1,000.00 DENTAL & VISION $1,000.00 N/A

Discover The Well onTarget® Program with BCBS

Managing your health has never been easier or more re- warding!TheWell onTarget® program, accessible through your Blue Cross Blue Shield account, offers a suite of tools and resources designed to support your wellness journey. Here’s how to get started:

Blue PointsSM Program: Earn points by completing activities and hitting your goals. These points can be redeemed for exciting rewards. Fitness and Nutrition Tracking: Sync your fitness devices or mobile apps to the Well onTarget portal or download the app to track our healthy habits effortlessly. Redeem Rewards with Blue Points SM 3 Your efforts toward better health can now be reward- ed with e-gift cards from top brands, including Nike, Sephora, Under Armour, Amazon, AMC, Apple, Best Buy, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and more!

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Log in to Your BCBS Account

If you are enrolled in the HDHP plan, up to $1500.00 of your med- ical 2024 HRA funds will rollover to your 2025 medical HRA. Up to $1000.00 of your 2024 dental and vision HRA funds will roll over to your 2025 dental and vision HRA. Any remaining funds will roll over into a Retirement Health Savings (RHS) account. PPO Plan If you are enrolled in the PPO plan, up to $2,500.00 of your 2024 HRA funds will roll over to your 2025 HRA funds. Retirement Health Savings Plan Overview Any funds remaining over the rollover amounts will roll over to your RHS account. The RHS is mandatory, and employees may not choose to opt out of this program. At separation from employment, employees who are enrolled in the RHS and who meet the vesting period of five years of consecutive full-time service will be eligible to receive funds from their RHS account to pay for medical expenses. You can view your balance by logging in to your MissionSquare account and clicking on plan #801871.

Navigate to My Health > Wellness > Well onTarget to unlock a world of health management resources.

Explore Wel l on Target Features 2

Health Assessments: Measure your current health status and identify areas for improve- ment with personalized insights. Digital Self-Management Programs: Access engaging lessons, challenges, and activities to help you achieve your wellness goals at your own pace.

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Winter 2025

HUMAN RESOURCES

RETIREMENT

Understanding Jury Duty Your Rights and Responsibilities

Mission Square Retirement Education Webinars

At the EAA, we recognize and support your civic duty to serve as jurors when called upon. As part of our commitment to fostering a respectful and engaged workforce, we want to provide you with clear infor- mation regarding jury duty service and the policies that govern it. Paid Leave for Jury Duty Employees who are summoned for jury duty are au- thorized to take time off and will receive leave with pay for up to a maximum of 15 working days . To en- sure you are compensated during your service, please remember to present the official jury summons and release or subpoena to your immediate supervisor and Margaret Ross upon your return to work. These documents are essential for processing your normal pay while fulfilling your jury duty obligations. Be sure to mark the time as “Jury” on your timesheet to en- sure proper processing. After 15 Days If your jury duty extends beyond the initial 15 days, you will be required to use your personal leave. Fol- lowing the exhaustion of your personal leave, you will then be placed on a leave of absence without pay. We advise all employees to coordinate with Human Re- sources regarding benefit continuation during this time to ensure you remain informed and protected. Witness Subpoenas It’s important to note that if you are subpoenaed as a witness, you cannot be the defendant or the plaintiff in the case. As with jury duty summons, a copy of the witness subpoena must be submitted.

In cases where your jury duty service does not fill an entire day, you are generally expected to return to work during the hours you are not required to serve. However, if you find it challenging to return, your su- pervisor has the discretion to excuse you from com- ing back to the off Requesting Excusal for Operational Needs We support your right to serve, but please note that the EAA will only request relief or excuse from serv- ing on jury duty when an employee’s absence presents a significant threat to our operations. Such requests must be approved by the General Manager, emphasiz- ing our commitment to maintaining smooth business operations while respecting civic duties. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation with these guidelines. Serving on a jury is a vital part of our justice system, and we are here to support you during your service. If you have any further questions, please feel free to reach out to Margaret Ross.

All webinars are held from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Re- gister HERE for all webinars below. Quarterly Economic Overview Gain insights into and understanding of current eco- nomic factors and the impact they may have on your retirement planning. Wednesday, January 29th Planning for the Future: The Fundamentals of Re- tirement Investing Whether you’re just starting out or need a refresher, we’ll discuss basic investing concepts, including risk, asset allocation, diversification, rebalancing, market timing, and dollar-cost averaging. Wednesday, Fe- bruary 5th How Health can Affect Your Wealth in Retirement An in-depth look into the many different aspects of planning and preparing for unexpected (and expec- ted) health care costs in retirement, including Medi- care and long-term care considerations. Wednesday, February 12th Navigating the Next Chapter: Preparing for Your Retirement If you’re retiring soon, you probably have questions about your retirement accounts. Learn what you co- uld consider next. Wednesday, February 19th Social Security: Understanding Your Retirement Benefit Options As you near retirement, one of the biggest financial decisions to make is when to begin receiving Social Security benefits. With pensions disappearing, Soci-

al Security remains the major source of guaranteed lifetime retirement income for most Americans, so it’s important to explore your options and make an informed decision. Wednesday, February 26th Managing Your Investments: Helping To Keep Your Retirement On Track An investing strategy is a carefully planned and pre- pared approach to managing and accumulating mo- ney to help meet your short-, mid-, and long-term financial goals. Investment planning requires disci- pline and patience, but it doesn't have to be difficult. Wednesday, March 5th 10 Questions for a Successful Retirement: A Guide for the Retiree Transitioning into and moving through retirement can be rewarding and challenging. So having a plan is important. We’ll focus on 10 key questions you co- uld ask, from saving, Social Security, and Medicare to managing your investments, withdrawals, and taxes. Wednesday, March 12th Saving for College: Tips and Strategies to Plan Your Child’s Future Learn why it’s important to save for future college costs and ways to accomplish your family’s education goals. Wednesday, March 19th Making Every Dollar Count: Tips for Smart Spen- ding Learn how to prioritize so that you spend on what you truly want and can afford. Wednesday, March 26th

Reporting for Work

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Winter 2025

TRAINING

The 2025 Training & Development Catalog is now available in SharePoint! We hope you find this catalog help- ful as you plan the year ahead. Since all events for 2025 will be con- ducted through various platforms, information, including appropriate links to register and/or attend the event, are posted to the HR Calendar of Events in SharePoint. Information will also be sent out to staff on a regular basis, as is our custom. If you have any questions regarding an event or need assistance, please contact Margaret Ross (210) 477-5110. 2025 Training & Development Catalog

Fleet Management Training Wednesday, February 26, 2025, 10:00 - 10:30 LOCATION/PLATEFORM: Virtual/Zoom This training will discuss the responsibilities for staff who have EAA vehicles assigned to them. Topics in- clude: care of vehicle, driver responsibilities, routine/ non-routine maintenance and other tasks. While this training is open to all staff, it is mandatory for EAA Drivers with vehicle assigned to them and their super- visor. A meeting invite with link to attend this event will be sent to designated staff. Click to JOIN ZOOM on day of event. ADD to Calendar (.ics) Information Technology: Meters App Know How Wednesday, March 26, 2025, 10:00 - 10:30 LOCATION/PLATEFORM: Virtual/Zoom This presentation will consider the new EAA Meters App. Learn best practices on how to use the platform. Click to JOIN ZOOM on day of event ADD to Calendar (.ics) Coaching & Mentoring Workshop Thursday, March 6, 2025, 10:00 - 11:30 LOCATION/PLATEFORM: Virtual/Zoom

Defensive Driving Wednesday, March 19, 2025 LOCATION/PLATEFORM: Virtual/TBD

A defensive driver takes every reasonable precaution to prevent traffic collisions. They not only take respon- sibility for their own vehicle and driving practices but also deal with the mistakes made by other drivers. This training will help you stay in control when you’re behind the wheel. OnMarch 19th staffwill receive an external email from our selected Defensive Driving vendor. This email will contain login instructions and the direct link to the online learning platform. Staff must complete this mandatory, six-hour, Defensive Driving course with- in two weeks. This training is mandatory for all staff and must be completed within the time allowed. Upon completion of this course, you may submit your certif- icate to your insurance carrier for a discount on your auto insurance.

Neogov EAA Ticketing System Wednesday, February 5, 2025 LOCATION/PLATEFORM: VIRTUAL/NEOGOV 1st Quarter Training Events

This informative pre-recorded video session is designed to sup- port staff in submitting tickets through the EAA I.T. ticketing system. On this date, staff will have access to this training via NEOGOV and may view this training on an as needed basis.

The Coaching and Mentoring course focuses on how to better coach your employees to higher performance. Coaching is a process of relationship building and setting goals. How well you coach is directly related to how well you are able to foster a great working relationship with your employees through understanding them and strategic goal setting.

YMCA Parental Stress Management Wednesday, February 19, 2025 LOCATION/PLATEFORM: EAA Recharge Room Parenting can be both rewarding and challenging, often lead- ing to significant stress. This presentation offers practical tools to help parents manage stress, maintain emotional balance, and create a positive family environment. Participants will learn to identify stressors, practice self-care techniques, and strengthen support networks for a healthier parenting experience. Lunch will be provided to in-person participants. Please RSVP to Patrica Mick by Friday, February 14th.

This course will equip you with the skills and techniques to: ~ Define coaching, mentoring, and the GROW model.

~ Identify and set appropriate goals using the SMART technique. ~ Define the current state or reality of your employee’s situation. ~ Define options for your employee and plan. ~ Finalize a plan with your employee. ~ Identify the benefits of building and fostering trust with your employee. ~ Identify the steps in giving effective feedback while maintaining trust.

Limited to 20 participants. Registration details COMING SOON!

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Winter 2025

RECORDS

WELLNESS

New EAA Logo How to Add it to your Sharepoint Site Responsibilities

The New Wellness Lounge: Your New Sanctuary at Work W e are thrilled to announce that The Wellness Lounge is officially open and ready for you to enjoy! This serene space has been thoughtfully designed as a quiet refuge for all employees to unwind, recharge, and decompress from the demands of the workday. Whether you need a moment to escape the hustle and bustle or simply want to enjoy a bit of tranquility, The Wellness Lounge has something for everyone. Feel free to swing by whenever you need a break—there's no reservation needed! Take a seat in one of our two cozy rocking/chairs, or indulge in some well-deserved relaxation in our state-of-the- art massage chair. If the massage chair is currently in use, we kindly ask you to return at another time. Experience Luxury with Our Massage Chair

3 In the Insert Logo section, you will see the op- tion to upload a new logo. Copy and paste this url link. 4 After uploading the new logo, scroll down and click the OK button on the right to save your changes. 5 Verify the update by navigating back to your site’s homepage to ensure that the new EAA logo is displayed correctly. If you need assistance or encounter any issues during the update, please contact our Nichelle Cunningham. Thank you for helping us enhance our brand identity by updating your SharePoint sites with the new EAA logo. Let’s take this exciting step together and contin- ue to represent our values and mission!

To help you implement the new EAA logo, we have provided step-by-step instructions. Please note, you must have Site Owner level permis- sions on your site to update the logo. Follow these simple steps to add the new logo to your SharePoint sites: How to Update the EAA Logo on Your SharePoint Site 1 Click the Settings Cogwheel found in the top right corner and select Site settings . 2 In the section Look and Feel , find and click on Title, description, and logo . If this does not appear as an option, you do not have site owner level permission for this section.

The highlight of The Wellness Lounge is undoubtedly the luxurious massage chair, designed to provide an unparalleled relaxation experience. Here are some of its remarkable features that set it apart: • Lumbar Graphene Heating Therapy: Relieve tension with soothing heat the- rapy that targets the lumbar area, providing ultimate relaxation.

• Negative Ions & Deep Yoga Stretching: Breathe easier and enhance your we- ll-being with negative ions while enjoying deep stretching designed for rela- xation. • 22 Auto Programs & 36 AI Voice Commands: Choose from a variety of massage programs tailored to suit your preferences, all easily accessible with voice commands. • 34-Cell Full Body Airbags & 3-Row Rollers Foot Massage: Enjoy a comprehensive massage experience complete with targeted airbag squeezing and foot rollers for deep, effective relief. • Deep Calf Kneading Rollers & Lumbar and Hip Targeted Massage: Soothe tired muscles and alleviate tension with A Few Helpful Guidelines

New Year, New Folders: Organizing Your Sharepoint for 2025!

 Stay Organized: By segmenting do- cuments by year, you can quickly navigate to relevant files.  Enhance Colla- boration: Clear fol- der structures make it easier for team members to find and contribute to shared projects.  Adhere to Best

Practices: Or- ganized records are essential for compliance and efficient workflow management. Get Started with New Folders! To help you kick off the year right, we've pre- pared a comprehensive guide on how to create new folders in Share- Point. With just a few

Happy New Year! As we welcome 2025, it's the perfect time to tidy up your records and active areas in SharePoint. A well-organized digi- tal workspace not only boosts productivity but also makes it easier to locate important docu- ments when you need them. Why Create New Folders?

 Furniture Arrangement: Please refrain from moving any furniture, especia- lly the reclining chairs, which have been strategically arranged for optimal com- fort without risk of damage.  Hygiene & Comfort: When using the massage chair, please remove your shoes to maintain cleanliness. Disposable foot covers are provided in the white

Wellness Newsletter Follow this link to view this month's newsle- tter which discusses caffeine intake, office ergonomics and do- nating blood.

simple steps, you can set up your 2025 folders and keep everything in its place. C lick HERE for step- by-step instructions on creating a new folder in SharePoint. Let's make 2025 the most organized year yet! Don’t forget to review

 Quiet Environment: The Wellness Lounge is a designated quiet space.  Please be mindful of those around you by keeping your voice low and mini- mizing conversation to maintain a calm atmosphere for all.

We sincerely hope you take full advantage of The Wellness Lounge! It’s a little sanctuary meant for YOU—to help you find balance amidst your busy day. Whether you’re grabbing a quick break or settling in for a longer session of relaxation, we invite you to make The Wellness Lounge your go-to space for rejuvenation and peace at work. Enjoy!

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Winter 2025

New & Internal Hires

Ashley Aguilar

Kathleen Coglianese Aquifer Science Intern

Lawrence “Larry” Jackson ERA Executive Director

Yvonne Garcia

Aquifer Science Intern Ashley joined the EAA on January 22, 2025. Ashley is pursuing a PhD in Earth Science and Engineering from the Uni- versity of Texas at San Antonio, with an expected graduation date of May 2025.

Administrative Assistant I Yvonne joined the Human Resources Services department on November 12, 2024. Yvonne comes to the EAA with 6 years of experience in administrative support and customer service.

Kathleen joined the EAA on January 22, 2025. Kathleen is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science from the University of Texas at San Antonio, with an expected gradua- tion date of May 2025.

Larry joined the External & Regulatory Affairs division on October 28, 2024. Larry received a Bachelor of Arts de- gree in International Studies from Texas State University and a Master of Arts

degree in International Relations from St. Mary’s University. Larry comes to the EAA with 30 years experience in customer service,

Angel Velasquez

Yvonne is responsible for providing high level

Victoria Ramirez Field Inspection Intern

administrative support to EAA staff.

Communications & Development Intern Angel joined the EAA on January 22, 2025. Angel is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Scien- ce from the University of Texas at San Antonio, with an expected graduation date of May 2025.

communications, regulatory affairs, and water utility opera- tions. Larry will be responsible for performing installations and repairs of automated meter reading systems. Larry is responsible for overseeing water resource manage- ment and compliance, including conservation programming, permitting, and general regulated community affairs in support of the mission of the EAA.

Victoria joined the EAA on January 24, 2025. Victoria is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Texas State University, with an expected gra- duation date of August 2025.

Roger Andrade (Internal Hire) Regulatory Affairs Senior Director

Roger was promoted to Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs on November 25, 2024. Roger is responsible for directing groundwater regulation, and Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone protection activities

Anniversaries

Mia de los Santos

We would like to recognize and congratulate our 1st quarter 2025 EAA employee anniversaries. Thank you for your dedicated service and we wish you many more successful years ahead!

to carry out the mission of the EAA.

Field Inspection Technician I Mia joined the Water Resources depart- ment on October 28, 2024. Mia recei- ved a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science from the Univer- sity of Texas – San Antonio. Mia comes to the EAA with 5 years of experience in environmental restoration.

Elizabeth Gutierrez

Name

Date Of Hire Recognized at Board Years of Service

STEAM Outreach Educator II Elizabeth joined the Communications department on January 22, 2025. Eli- zabeth received a Bachelor of Science degree in Resource and Environmental Studies from Texas State University. Elizabeth comes to the EAA with over 13 years of experience in public outreach and

Ann-Margaret Gonzalez

1/7/2015 2/2/2015 2/8/2000 2/9/2015

1/14/25 2/11/25 2/11/25 2/11/25

10 10 25 10

Kyle Craig

Jennifer Wong-Esparza

Jessica Quintanilla

Mia is responsible for providing support to various regulatory compliance programs, including compliance and enforcement field investigations.

1st Quarter Birthdays Jessica Quintanilla January 4 Brennan Romero January 6 Matt Schwarz January 9 Bryan Anderson January 9 Cade Leal January 14 Jewell Lee Cozort January 14 Mike De La Garza January 16 Destiny Valles January 20 Charles Bradshaw January 20 Mia de los Santos January 22 Mounika Dereddy January 30

Emily Thompson February 7 Julian Reyes February 15 Sandra Haglund February 17 Jose Gonzales February 18 Rob Esquilin February 23 Jes Sterzenback February 26 Erica Martinez February 26 Logan Schmidt March 1 Jewel Uzquiano March 3 Newfel Mazari March 3 Paul Bertetti March 3 Logan Schmidt March 1 Jewel Uzquiano March 3

Newfel Mazari Paul Bertetti Kristy Smith Elizabeth Posada

March 3 March 3 March 5 March 7 March 9 March 11 March 11 March 17 March 21 March 21 March 22 March 26 March 30

development of environmental education initiatives.

Brennan Romero Geoscientist I

Elizabeth is responsible for creating, managing, and imple- menting education strategies and programs in support of the EAA mission to promote and support STEAM-based learning in the Education Outreach Center, and in outreach to targeted organizations and populations.

Brennan joined the Aquifer Science Research & Modeling department on October 28, 2024. Brennan received a Bachelor of Science degree in Geolo- gy from the University of Texas – San Antonio. Brennan comes to the EAA with 4½ years of experience in geotechnical engineering.

Patricia Mick

Jennifer Wong-Esparza

Rebecca Nunu Isabel Martinez Maryam Samimi Laura Hernandez

Joshua Moralez Information Technology Intern

Laurel Torres Maggie Veliz Sarah Valdez

Brennan is responsible for performing data collection and data analyses activities designed to carry out the mission of the EAA.

Joshua joined the EAA on January 22, 2025. Joshua is pursuing a is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Cyber- security from Texas A&M University at San Antonio, with an expected graduation date of

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December 2025.

Winter 2025

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Top 5 Cyber Scams to lookout for in 2025

New Meeting Schedulers Enhance Conference Room Efficiency

Have you noticed the new screens outside each of our conference rooms and the boardroom? These innova- tive meeting schedules are designed to streamline our booking process and improve overall efficiency. With these screens, you can easily check the room’s availability, sched- ule impromptu meetings, or

report any issues directly to the IT department. This solu- tion leverages the capabilities of Meetings 365 software and Samsung tablets, ensuring a seamless and user-friendly experience. If you have any questions about these devices, please reach out to the IT de- partment for assistance.

As we step into 2025, cybercriminals are becoming more sophisticated, leveraging advanced technologies to craft increasingly convincing scams. Here are the top cyber scams to be aware of in 2025: AI-Powered Phishing Attacks Cybercriminals are using artificial intelligence to create highly personalized phishing emails and messages. These scams are designed to look like they come from trusted sources, making them harder to detect and more likely to succeed. Deepfake Scams Deepfake technology, which creates hyper-realistic fake videos and audio recordings, is being used to deceive individuals and organizations. Imagine receiving a vidcall from a loved one asking for financial help, only to find out it was a scam.

Live Video Scams Scammers are now using live video to trick victims into believing they are interacting with a real person. These scams can be emotionally manipulative and financially devastating. AI -Dr i ven Ma lware AI is also being used to develop more sophisticated mal- ware that can evade traditional security measures. This malware can steal sensitive information, disrupt opera- tions, and cause significant damage. Sm i s h i ng and V i s h i ng Text message (smishing) and voice call (vishing) scams are on the rise. These scams often involve urgent messages or calls that trick victims into revealing personal informa- tion or making payments.

We are thrilled to announce the upcoming arrival of a new Canon TX-4200 plotter. This state-of-the-art large-for- mat plotter is designed to meet the diverse needs of our organization, offering exceptional versatility and high-qua- 2024 System Uptime Introducing the Canon TX-4200 Our IT department diligently monitors system uptime using robust tools. Our average uptime in 2024 has consistently exceeded 99%. We re - main committed to ensuring seamless availabil- ity across all systems in 2025.

lity output. The TX-4200 can produce both monochrome line drawings and vibrant full-color posters, making it an ideal so- lution for a wide range of applications. This plotter also has scanning and copying capabilities. Stay tuned for more updates as we prepare to integrate this powerful tool into our opera- tions We welcome your ideas for new technologies that could benefit the EAA. Please feel free to visit the IT department to discuss your suggestions. Exciting Update: New Meters Matters App Launching February 6th, 2025! We are excited to announce that the new and improved Meters Matters App will be available in both Android and iOS stores on February 6th, 2025. This updated app features a fresh design, improved navigation, enhanced features, and streamlined processes to provide a better user experience.

Exciting News: EAGIS 3.0 is in development The IT department has gathered your feedback regarding potential improvements to EAGIS and is pleased to announce that work on EAGIS 3.0 has commenced. Stay tuned for regular updates on our progress. We look forward to collaborating with our internal teams in 2025 to make this the best iteration of EAGIS yet. We encourage you to share your ideas on how we can improve and enhance the EAGIS permitting system.

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