Tualatin Valley Water District Commissioner Position 3 Choose 1
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 years
Biographical Information
Town Where You Live
Cedar Hills
County
Washington
Term
4 years
Term Expires
2029
What do you see as the main challenges facing the District today, and how would you address them?
Supply, Affordability, and Regional Coordination. The Willamette Water Supply Project, in partnership with Hillsboro and Beaverton, is now nearing completion but critical work still remains. Our District is blessed with two existing, high-quality water sources but they are limited in capacity and vulnerable to earthquake damage. The WWSP will provide a third high-quality, reliable, and resilient water supply for TVWD. Successfully completing this project and transitioning from buying wholesale water from the City of Portland, while balancing affordability concerns, is my primary goal for the next four years.
What skills and training would you bring to the board?
A forty-year career in public works and being a TVWD Commissioner for nearly 32 years have seasoned me to ask the tough questions and deal with unexpected challenges. Provision of high-quality, safe, and reliable water at a reasonable price should not be taken for granted. This is why I have chosen to serve and again seek re-election.
How could the District improve its water conservation practices?
The District has been a leader in water conservation practices! As a founding member of the Regional Water Providers Consortium Board, and spending more than 25 years studying water conservation practices, I'm happy to say that we are always looking to improve outreach, education, and provide incentives to conserve. I'm a firm believer in making decisions based on a long-term view and using a triple bottom line analysis: Planet, People, and Sound Financial Management.