At its Aug. 7 board meeting, the Otay Water District unanimously voted to fill its Division One board vacancy through an appointment process. This follows the Aug. 2 resignation of former board director Tim Smith. The application deadline for interested candidates is Aug. 26 by 5 p.m.
To qualify for the appointment, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Be at least 18 years of age.
Be registered to vote.
Be a U.S. citizen and resident of the California.
Be legally able to hold public office.
Be a resident of division one within the Otay Water District’s service area (maps are available on the District’s website).
Interested individuals can submit applications online, via email, by mail, or in person. For more information, including application instructions and forms, please visit the District’s website at otaywater.gov/board-appointment-application or contact the District at (619) 670-2253.
In compliance with the same code, the District notified the Clerk of the County Board of Supervisors and the Registrar of Voters on August 8 of the vacancy and the decision to fill it by appointment. The appointed individual will serve until the next election, scheduled for Nov. 3, 2026, at which time a successor will be elected. The appointee will complete the remainder of Smith’s term.
The five-member board of directors is the governing body of the District and is responsible for setting rates for service, taxes, policies, ordinances, adopting the annual budget and other matters related to the management and operation of the water agency. Each director is elected by voters within one of five divisions to represent the public’s interest on the Board. Directors serve four-year terms in office.
The Otay Water District is a public agency providing water, recycled water, and sewer service to more than 240,000 customers within approximately 125 square miles of southeastern San Diego County, including the communities of eastern Chula Vista, Bonita, Jamul, Spring Valley, Rancho San Diego, unincorporated areas of El Cajon and La Mesa, and eastern Otay Mesa along the international border with Mexico. For more information on the Otay Water District, visit otaywater.gov.