SMWD Swears In New Board Members

Santa Margarita Water District recently swore in its new board members, and a couple of them looked a lot like old board members.

Familiar faces Betty Olson and Charley Wilson, who were already on the SMWD's Board of Directors, and newly elected Chuck Gibson were sworn in during the Board’s recent meeting of the Engineering Committee on Dec. 7. All three individuals were elected in last month's general election to serve a four-year term, through 2016.

“I am honored to be elected to serve the customers of Santa Margarita Water District, and I look forward to continuing the District’s commitment to providing a safe, reliable and affordable supply of water,” said Gibson, a Ladera Ranch resident. “The rising cost of imported water continues to be a challenge. I’ll work with my board colleagues and district staff to continue to seek operational efficiencies, as well as innovative opportunities to enhance local water supply reliability.”

Also during the meeting, the Board selected Roger Faubel to serve as President of the Board for a 12-month term. Faubel first served as a member of the Board in 1996 and returned in 2005 where he has since served. In addition, the Board selected Saundra Jacobs to serve as vice chairman; Olson to serve as treasurer; and Wilson to serve as Chair of the Engineering Meeting.

The Finance Committee meeting will be Friday, Dec. 14, which will represent the first meeting with the full board.

The five-member SMWD Board is elected by residents within the District’s boundaries. Directors are elected to serve four-year terms and are responsible for establishing the District’s policies. The Board of Directors holds three regular monthly public meetings at its office located in Rancho Santa Margarita. The SMWD is Orange County's second-largest water district, serving more than 155,000 customers in RSM, Mission Viejo, Coto de Caza, Las Flores, Ladera Ranch and Talega.

For more information see its website at smwd.com.