History of the creation of the Washington County Water Conservancy District
The Washington County Water Conservancy District is a political subdivision of the State of Utah organized and existing under the Water Conservancy District Act. As such, the District follows the Utah Open & Public Meetings Act and the Government Records Access Management Act (GRAMA). The District was established in 1962 in response to a petition signed by the property owners of Washington County. The District is charged with conserving, developing, managing and stabilizing water supplies within the county.
The District provides water to over 85% of the people of the County and operates facilities from Kolob to Gunlock. During peak summer months, the District delivers over 34 million gallons a day to its customers.
In accordance with state law, the seven members of the District’s Board of Trustees are appointed to four- year staggered terms by the Washington County Commission. The openings are announced by legal notices and applicants are evaluated by the commissioners. The County has selected board members in accordance with applicable state law that states “each trustee shall be appointed without regard to partisan political affiliations from among the citizens of the highest integrity, attainment, competence, and standing in the community.” The Commission has traditionally selected board members so that they represent all areas of the county. The District Board of Trustees employs a
manager to oversee its activities. The staff is hired and supervised in-house, not as county employees.
The District is a “special purpose” district, in large part because the business of water is complicated. Particularly in the West, laws, rules, history, traditions and the complex facts of hydrologic cycles in desert river systems create layer upon layer of interacting factors. This specialty is one that many may know a little bit about, but few know a lot about. The District’s functions are intended to serve the municipalities and county that are represented by elected officials, along with the citizens, businesses and visitors of Washington County to provide adequate, safe and reliable water resources today and into the future.
The legislature has adopted a policy of appointing trustees of water conservancy districts rather than having them elected, recognizing that short term political pressures should not govern the decisions governing the provision of a fundamental human resource need like water. The water projects that are constructed and managed by the water conservancy districts generally involve long lead-times for planning and construction. Without the systematic approach facilitated by an appointed board, water projects could fall to the whims of those who have the best public relations presentations but not the best substance or understanding. In today’s world, special interest groups may be very effective at influencing opinion, but unlike the trustees of the District, they do not have to face the consequences if their influence leads to bad decisions. Appointed board members are less likely to be swayed by political pressure and are more able to maintain the long-term commitment necessary to oversee the activities of District staff.