Candidate Response: Alina Layng
2. Please list in order of importance the top three issues you would prioritize as a member of the Board, and briefly explain why.
1. Investment in Infrastructure – CZU Recovery and Capital Improvement Projects (CIP)
We must prioritize pushing forward plans for CZU recovery at the board level. It's been four years since the disaster, and we urgently need to complete the restoration of our surface water intakes. Having the flexibility to alternate between surface and groundwater sources is crucial, allowing us to rest our wells during the winter and restore our groundwater reserves.
It's also critical that we stop delaying capital improvement projects. When we neglect maintenance, our system deteriorates, leading to costly emergency repairs. Proper planning reduces the financial burden, as unplanned repairs are far more expensive.
Additionally, we need to aggressively pursue every funding opportunity, including grant applications, to get more projects in the pipeline. Leaving potential funds untapped is a missed opportunity, and we simply can't afford that.
2. Affordable Water Rates
In addition to my scientific expertise, I am deeply committed to ensuring the affordability of clean drinking water and addressing water equity in an era of rising costs. Before the last rate increase, I advocated for expanding the Low-Income Rate Assistance Program to help alleviate the burden on the community members who would be most affected.
I also work to offset district costs by actively advocating for grant applications. The district operates on a tight budget, and securing supplemental grants can significantly reduce the financial pressure on ratepayers. During my three-year tenure on the Engineering and Environmental Committee, I encouraged the district to pursue grant funding for the Fall Creek Fish Ladder. Although this project’s mandated status disqualified it from many grants, I attended workshops and identified that the district was eligible for Proposition 1 funding. I wrote a letter of recommendation, and as a result, the district was awarded $1.1 million in funding.
My promise to ratepayers is to always seek external funding sources before passing costs onto the community, ensuring we maintain affordable water rates while meeting critical infrastructure needs.
3. Collaboration
Managing our watershed and groundwater basin effectively requires collaboration with neighboring water districts, such as Scotts Valley and the City of Santa Cruz. The San Lorenzo Valley Watershed Conjunctive Use Agreement is a prime example of how working together can optimize the use of surface and groundwater resources, leading to a more reliable and sustainable water supply for our communities. Regional cooperation is key to addressing shared challenges such as drought resilience, water quality, and environmental impacts on streamflows. By partnering with neighboring districts, we can pool resources, share expertise, and take a unified approach to preserving our watershed's health and ensuring future water reliability.
In addition to collaborating with water-related entities, we must also strengthen partnerships with local fire departments and emergency agencies to create unified emergency response plans for crises like wildfires, earthquakes, or contamination events. A simple but critical example is implementing universal locks on all of SLV Water’s gates, a measure fire departments have requested to avoid wasting time cutting locks during emergencies. Despite being raised multiple times over the last four years, it has yet to be addressed, even though grant funding could cover the cost. We also need to continue identifying and securing emergency water sources in preparation for future fire events.