MWDOC Division Six

By Don Chadd

Why is Don running for Division Six?

Don says, "I will seek to provide the lowest water rates possible. I will encourage plans, programs, and projects that promote strong water reliability. I support all efforts that build a diversified water supply portfolio to guarantee water will be available when it is needed. I believe the promotion of wise water use is imperative for our region. I strongly support school programs that teach about the importance of water."

BACKGROUND

Don is one of two individuals seeking the Director position in Division 6 of Municipal Water District of Orange County; the other person is the incumbent. Don wants to prevent unnecessary rate increases to the retail water agencies; this means he wants to prevent rate increases to the local customer.

Division 6 includes a small portion of Tustin, the northern service area of Irvine Ranch Water District, all of Trabuco Canyon Water District, and all of Santa Margarita Water District. In his capacity as General Manger of Trabuco Canyon Water District, Don understands the challenges and opportunities of all these service areas and agencies. He has a strong working relationship with Irvine Ranch Water District and Santa Margarita Water District. He will represent their interests, and of Trabuco Canyon Water District, well on the MWDOC Board of Directors.

As it exists today, Don is satisfied with the staffing model, the delivery of services, and the budget preparation process of MWDOC, but this wasn't always the case.

Election to the Board of Directors of MWDOC will allow Don to continue firsthand the efforts of his work, along with others, of which MWDOC is the product today. One of the most important things the Board of Directors do at MWDOC is select the Directors from the MWDOC service area to serve on the Board of Directors of Metropolitan Water District (MET). These "MET" directors must be bright, savvy, informed, and collaborative to be effective. Don is not convinced that all of the current MET Directors have these qualities.

Don would bring to the MWDOC Board of Directors a unique perspective; he has years of experience as a retail water district board of director and experience as the general manager of a retail water agency.

Don wants to guard against "Mission Creep" by MWDOC, which always translates into higher water rates at the local retail water district level.

As a Division 6 Director (which includes northern Irvine, northern Lake Forest, all of the rural canyon areas, northern Mission Viejo, and all the City of Rancho Santa Margarita, Coto de Caza, Las Flores, Wagon Wheel, and Ladera Ranch), Don has lived and worked in these communities all his adult life. He knows them and understands them.