Noozhawk invited Goleta Water District Board of Directors candidates for the District 2 seat to answer questions about local issues.
The District 2 seat is the only one on the ballot this year, and has three candidates: incumbent Kathleen Werner, Bruce John Wallach, and Tyler J. Long.
Thomas C. Evans was the only person who filed to run for the District 1 seat on the board, so he automatically wins another term.
Only voters in specific board member areas will choose the winners of the races. A map showing the trustee areas can be found on the district website.
Read the answers submitted by Werner and Long below. Wallach did not submit answers to Noozhawk.
Kathleen Werner
Question: Why are you running for Goleta Water District board?
Werner: I am running for re-election to the Goleta Water District (GWD) Board to continue contributing to the many successes the district has achieved during my tenure. This includes maintaining rates that are some of the lowest on the South Coast, bolstering financial stability with a strong reserve fund, and completing major infrastructure updates to the water treatment and distribution processes.
With a master’s degree in chemistry, I worked in local government as a water chemist for 25 years. Our water board needs experienced people who understand not only the policy side of water matters in California but also the technical side of supplying clean high-quality water. I am one of those people.
I have the experience, values, time and desire to serve the community as their representative on this board. My decisions, as always, will be based on common sense, science and data.
Finally, I personally want to do more than “just vote”. I have been inspired to become more active in my community and with my background I believe I can best serve and make an impact by running for the GWD Board.
Question: What relevant experience would you bring to the water board?
Werner: I have been honored to represent the community as a Director on the GWD board for the past 8 years. Goleta has been my home for over 30 years where I’ve raised my family and volunteered with many local organizations, so I feel I know the community well.
I was elected to this office twice, first in 2018 and then again in 2022. I was then elected by my board colleagues to serve in leadership positions as both Vice President and President of the board.
I have chaired each of the three standing committees: administration; public information; and water management and long-range planning. Through these different positions I gained a comprehensive understanding of issues important to developing water policy. I am currently the GWD’s representative to the Central Coast Water Agency, the regional joint powers agency for the State Water Project, where I also serve on their personnel subcommittee.
In the course of my service, I have reviewed numerous financial documents, including annual budgets and two 5- year cost of service studies and all the foundational GWD planning documents; Groundwater Management Plan, Urban Water Management Plan, Water Supply Management Plan, Drought Preparedness and Water Shortage Contingency Plan. All contributed to my understanding issues important to GWD and being an effective director.
Question: What do you believe are the most important issues facing residents and businesses within the water district in the next four years, and how would you address them?
Werner: I would say that the top three issues facing our community would be ongoing infrastructure improvements, water supply reliability and financial stability.
An 80+year old water system needs continued community investment in its infrastructure. I will continue to review with staff GWD’s 5-year infrastructure and improvement plan and join in open meeting discussions to set priorities for projects most critical to ensure the continued supply of clean reliable water.
GWD must carefully manage water supply and maintain its reliability as a 24/7 lifeline service. GWD has taken advantage of recent abundant rainfall and a full Lake Cachuma to replenish Goleta Valley’s central groundwater basin by “resting” the wells and injecting surplus Cachuma water into the basin through its aquifer storage and recovery program. I will continue to support this program as it is an important means to increase the amount of locally stored water, for use when needed. Along the same lines, I have supported the financing to construct the District’s first two new wells in 40 years. These wells, once completed, will add better access to groundwater supplies.
Finally, public agencies need to function on a strong financial basis. GWD is doing that very well without receiving any tax revenue. In my term in office, the District has continuously improved its financial position, built up reserves, refinanced past debt to more favorable terms and enacted a data-based rate structure. I will always support fair and reasonable water rates and encourage staff to seek out state and federal grants wherever appropriate to supplement revenue.
Question: Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Werner: Finally, I’d like to address the issue of water for new construction. GWD does not have land use authority. Our job is to supply a clean reliable source of water to the community. If the community via State mandates or community priorities decides to approve developments the district’s responsibility is to evaluate the water needs of that project and determine if sufficient water is available under the property’s existing allocations or if a new water supply charge must be levied on that project. New water service is governed by the SAFE water ordinance. This Ordinance was voted on and passed by the voters in conjunction with approving participation in the state water project. The SAFE ordinance defines the conditions under which water can be allocated to new customers. For the several years of our most recent extreme drought these conditions were not met, and no new water allocations were approved. However, with the abundant rainfall over the past years and the full recovery of the groundwater basin all SAFE conditions are currently being met, and new water supply is available for 2026. The board carefully evaluates these conditions on an annual basis to determine whether new water supply meets the SAFE ordinance restrictions.
It would be my honor to continue representing the community on the Goleta Water District Board.
Tyler Long
Question: Why are you running for Goleta Water District board?
Long: I’ve been fortunate to live and work in Goleta over the past eight years. Always active in my communities, HOA board, being a utility manager has given me insight to the fragility of our resources and I want to use my experience in finding a balance of maintaining Goleta culture and thoughtful growth.
Question: What relevant experience would you bring to the water board?
Long: I’ve worked in the California utility business since 1994, having very close interactions with city, county and state organizations, while maintaining relationships with customers. Addressing emergent issues, client needs and long term planning to place communities in the best position possible.
Question: What do you believe are the most important issues facing residents and businesses within the water district in the next four years, and how would you address them?
Long: Understanding that our water is a finite resource is key. Transparent communication and considerate education of customers in this and several other points needs to be increased and made important. Climate changes will continue to challenge decision making in approval of new meters, guarding current rights and looking at opportunities for additional sources of clean water. The mechanisms needed to operate today’s utilities are dependent on technologies that are vulnerable to cyber threats. Our water system is not immune to these threats, and immediate steps must be taken to safeguard the system.
Lastly, thorough inspections and correctly scheduled maintenance of the system should be conducted. Maintaining the current system and focused planning on future needs will help Goleta thrive as a community and as a South Coast Santa Barbara County partner.
Question: Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Long: I simply ask for your vote so that I can bring a fresh perspective, my years of utility experience, and my concerns for our city. All for a change now and for years to come.
These answers have been lightly edited for style and formatting.
Additional candidate Q&As will be published on Noozhawk in the coming weeks.
Read more about local candidates and issues in Noozhawk’s Elections section.
