Two candidates for Elk Grove Water-Florin Resources Conservation District will be unopposed on November ballot

This November, two candidates - one incumbent and the other a new entrant - will appear on the ballot for positions on the Florin Resources Conservation District, the owner and operator of the Elk Grove Water District. However, given that there are two open positions and two candidates, Medina and Green will be in their positions this December.

Those candidates are incumbent Lisa Medina and the new candidate, Joshua Green. Medina was first elected to the board in 2016.  

Current Director Sophia Scherman, first to the board in 2016, decided against seeking another term. With Scherman's decision to bow out, the nomination period was extended until last Friday, and Green entered the race during that time frame.

The Florin Resources Conservation District's primary function is operating the Elk Grove Water District, which was founded in the late 19th century, became a privately owned enterprise, and was purchased by the district in 1999. The FRCC was originally established in the 1950s as a soil conservation agency when the Florin area, which included Elk Grove, was heavily involved in crop production, primarily grapes.

The 2018-2019 Sacramento County Grand Jury's investigation of the district highlighted many deficiencies with the FRCC's water district management. Notably, some then-board members did not live in the water district's service area, which is substantially smaller than the conservation district's boundaries.

With Green's appointment in December, at least one known water district ratepayer will be on the FRCC Board of Directors.