Published: Apr 05, 2018 | 15:28 PM

IRWD Evaluating Changes to Election Process

The Irvine Ranch Water District Board of Directors has begun the public process to evaluate moving from an at-large election process to division-based elections. The resolution titled “Intent to Initiate the Process of Establishing Divisions and Elections by Divisions” was formally adopted by the IRWD Board on April 2, 2018.

IRWD currently uses an at-large method to elect the members of its Board of Directors. The at-large method allows voters from the entire service area to elect each of the five members of the Board of Directors. A by-division method divides a service area into separate divisions and allows the voters in each division to elect a member of the Board of Directors. Since the enactment of the California Voting Rights Act in 2001, many local governments have gone through a similar public process to evaluate moving to division-based elections.

The IRWD Board of Directors has a strong record of maximizing participation in District affairs by all of our customers. From landscaping and water use efficiency classes to free in-home water-use audits, bilingual programs and websites, IRWD offers meaningful programs and services that provide value to all of our customers. IRWD's comprehensive customer service programs, in conjunction with water and sewer rates that are the lowest in the area, help all area residents, especially those of limited means. Our customers have responded by giving the District a customer satisfaction rating that is consistently over 95%.

IRWD is committed to undertaking a meaningful public process that allows for full public participation, public input, and careful consideration of a transition to by-division elections. We will continue to keep our customers informed on this issue. Please continue to check irwd.com for updates.