Bill Rosen, the current President of the Board of Directors of the Goleta Water District, was re-elected by the Board at its December 7 meeting to serve as President for a second term. The night’s meeting also saw the swearing in of returning Board members Bert Bertrando and Jack Cunningham, who won re-election in November’s general election. Mr. Cunningham was re-elected Vice-President of the Board.

Bill Rosen

Mr. Rosen was elected to the District’s Board in the general election held in 2008. In 2009, the Board elected him President. Rosen expressed his appreciation for the support of the Board. Rosen said, “I am humbled by the support shown for me by the Board members. I have tried to work for the best interests for the District.”

Rosen said that “during the past year, the Board has overseen substantial improvements in District operations. These include restructuring the District’s debt to improve cash flow; instituting an open and transparent budget process to insure that all costs are necessary and justified; developing a capital improvement plan for district facilities; correcting several errors of the past related to billing; adopting a new conflict of interest policy and code of conduct; revising its contracting policies to eliminate unfavorable provisions; and retaining a firm to undertake a cost of service study.”

Rosen noted that the District also cut $1,000,000 from expenses in the last year to respond to a revenue shortfall experienced by water districts statewide. Rosen said that these reforms are an excellent start and that the Board and Staff of the District are focused on continuing to bring excellent service and quality water to the community.

Rosen highlighted the work of General Manager John McInnes and his Staff. “John and his team have been vital to the readjustment of the District’s operations,” said Mr. Rosen. “Their dedicated work and professionalism are transforming the District in ways that benefit our customers every day.”

Rosen is a former New York municipal attorney. He has lived in the Goleta area for the past 7 years. He is a member of the Board of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

The Goleta Water District is the largest special district serving the Goleta-Santa Barbara area, with approximately 80,000 customers, covering an area from the City of Santa Barbara to the Gaviota Coast.

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