Issues 

 

 Water Rate Vigilance!

I will fight to keep our water rates down. I will maintain constant vigilance over OMWD's internal costs and oppose wasteful and unnecessary spending. For the 2025-26 OMWD budget, I voted to freeze hiring for vacant positions, delay previously planned positions, and re-prioritize non-critical capital spending and capital projects to control costs. I demand fiscal control from our water wholesalers, whose costs are passed on to us. I was among the few who voted against the Water Authority’s purchase of a new multi-million dollar building when the existing building still served its purpose. I voted for additional cuts in the Water Authority's budget in addition to cuts already recommended to achieve the lowest rate possible for you, our customers.

 Public Transparency

Promoting transparency and accessibility in public meetings is crucial for fostering trust and accountability in our communities. My OMWD board was one of the few water agencies that did not provide remote meeting access. I spearheaded the initiation of live-streaming for OMWD Board meetings, enabling remote public participation.

 Manage Our Imported Water Supplies

Despite two winters, the Colorado River, which we rely on for over 70% of our water, remains in a severe drought. Lake Mead, which supplies our water, is less than 33% full. Fortunately, San Diego County is better positioned than most places to withstand water shortages because of your water conservation efforts, recycling, and water reuse. Nevertheless, we must carefully manage our water resources for long-term reliability. As Vice-Chair of the Water Authority's Imported Water Committee, I can continue to look out for OMWD's interests.

 Environmentally Responsive

Every decision we make must consider environmental and social impacts. For example, while expanding ocean desalination could improve our water reliability, it also has significant environmental consequences; it is expensive and energy-intensive. Our policies must balance "big-ticket" and very expensive projects with creative solutions.

        Encourage Access to OMWD's AquaHawk ™ Portal.

With AquaHawk, you can monitor your water use by the hour, reducing your water bill by as much as 15 percent! I have supported OMWD staff's system rollout and provided access to customer support. Thousands of OMWD customers monitor their water use online thanks to their efforts. If you haven't yet, here is the link to get you started: http://www.olivenhain.com/mywateruse/: 

Explore Alternative Sources of Water Supply

We do not receive enough rain in San Diego County to meet our local needs. OMWD is exploring the feasibility of locally sourced groundwater from the San Dieguito Valley to reduce our reliance on others. The Board will soon make important decisions about whether to go forward with this project. You can learn more about it at https://www.olivenhain.com/your-water-supplies/san-elijosan-dieguito-valley-groundwater-project/.