The gist
During the meeting, each candidate was asked four predetermined questions that covered topics such as water infrastructure, water-related challenges and service-related issues.
After interviewing the candidates, City Council went into executive session to deliberate before returning and naming the three appointees:
- Greg Mann was appointed as the at-large representative for the Northeast Quadrant
- Theresa Scapanski was appointed as the at-large representative for the Northwest Quadrant
- Adriana Rocha Garcia, former District 4 council member, was appointed as the at-large representative for the Southwest Quadrant.
“SAWS needs to be willing to embrace and invest in technology and innovation, along with prioritizing capital investments to expeditiously and responsibly address and reduce our leakage problem,” Mann said. “We need transparency in evaluating and identifying areas where our most vulnerable infrastructure exists and to systematically make the necessary capital expenditures needed to refurbish and/or replace.”
Scapanski said the role of a SAWS trustee extends beyond their appointed quadrant and that she would work diligently to ensure equitable access to water.
“I believe the responsibility of SAWS board members extends to the entire community,” Scapanski said. “Every decision would be based on equitable access to services, comparable rate structures and consideration of the needs of all customers across the entire service delivery area. As a board of trustee, I would also seek input from the SAWS executive team to understand how current policies impact different areas of the city. I view my role as a trustee to govern and maintain water security for all of San Antonio, not just one neighborhood or one quadrant.”
Garcia said she will bring her knowledge of city services that she gained over her tenure as a council member and a lifelong San Antonio resident to the board.
"I'm fully prepared and able to not only bring the expertise that I had from learning with you all and with your residents across the city, but also from having lived in District 4 since I was three years old,” Garcia said.
Explaining the role
According to city documents, the SAWS board of trustees manages, controls and operates the city’s water system. The board governs expenditures and revenue, and advises the City Council on rates, fees and service changes.
The board is made up of six at-large trustees and the mayor, who serves as the ex officio member. Four of the trustees represent a single quadrant of the utility’s service area, with two members representing the northern quadrants, and two representing the southern quadrants. Representative trustees must live within the area or within the corporate limits of the city. Appointed trustees are limited to serve two four-year terms of office, unless they were appointed for the remainder of an unexpired office term of less than two years.
The board of trustees generally meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 9 a.m. in the SAWS Administrative Office Board Room at 2800 US 281 N.
The new trustees will begin their terms Sept. 10.
