Neskowin Regional Water District Commissioner Position 1 Choose 3
Special districts in Oregon are formed to provide specific local government needs. They are created by a vote of the people in the local area being served. Examples include people’s utility districts, library districts, water districts, fire protection districts, and more. They are governed by a board of directors, which is responsible for management and financial accountability. Special districts are empowered to levy any necessary taxes and fees to fulfill their mandate. Board members are not paid but may receive a per diem reimbursement.Water districts are responsible for building and maintaining the infrastructure necessary to deliver potable water to homes and businesses in their service area. The board manages the budget and administers personnel.Qualifications: If the district has 100 or more voters, a candidate must be a registered voter in the district and a landowner in the district. ORS 264.410Term: 4 yearsVote for 3
Biographical Information
Contact Phone
9712196869
Campaign Phone (public)
9712196869
Town Where You Live
NESKOWIN
Your Experience/Qualifications
Saunders has a background in public education, first as a high school teacher, and then as a long-time leader in public affairs for the State Board of Higher Education and Chancellor’s Office of the Oregon University System, as well as the Oregon Institute of Technology; and has worked in nonprofits serving rural and underserved youth.
County
OREGON
Term
4 Years
Term Expires
2030
What do you see as the main challenges facing the District today, and how would you address them?
For a community to be viable and healthy, clean reliable water and water sheds are critical. When we go to our tap for a glass of water or to fill a baby bottle, we don't want to question whether or not it's clean water. As a growing community, Neskowin must continue to be proactive in ensuring its water sheds and distribution systems are able to support current residents; and that any new development aligns with established area growth plans, and does not weaken current systems. I will work with board members and operations management to ensure that current and near future issues affecting water safety, distribution or conservation are addressed effectively and efficiently so community stakeholders are not adversely impacted.
What skills and training would you bring to the board?
I have served on several local, regional and national boards in leadership and officer positions, including Board Secretary; and have staffed boards from the operational staff-side of organizations. Within these roles, I have developed and deployed strategic plans for large organizations in private, nonprofit and higher education sectors, from tactical strategies to budgets to relationships with partners and stakeholders. I understand the fiduciary responsibilities of Boards, and their full portfolio of duties; and where the line is between management duties of staff, and policy level decisions of a public board. Having a background in Public Affairs, I hope to support communications efforts with Neskowin residents.
How could the District improve its water conservation practices?
Neskowin's natural environment abuts ocean, estuary and forest, making it especially fragile to a variety of impacts. It's critical to understand the interplay of these components, and to proactively plan and support a robust water district. I will work to understand current practices, gain management's advice, and other relevant input, on where improvements could be made, and what level of investment that may take. Having an available emergency water supply is critical in an area that has or is expected to experience at some point, fires, earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, storm damage and other events. Public safety is the main priority, so coordination with other agencies is a must. Water is life. I'll work to make ours safe and available.