Rules Committee forwards Dennis J. Herrera to full board for regional water financing seat

Supervisor Matt Dorsey, chair of the Rules Committee, said the panel would recommend appointing Dennis J. Herrera to a four-year term on the Bay Area regional water system financing authority.

"The SFPUC provides drinking water to 2,600,000 customers in the Bay Area," Dorsey said, summarizing background provided by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. He said state legislation creating the financing authority requires the Board of Supervisors to appoint a member to its board and that the PUC general manager has historically occupied the seat.

The committee reviewed the background for the resolution, which would appoint Herrera for the term beginning July 1, 2023, and ending June 30, 2027. Dorsey noted the authority is a regional vehicle to raise funds—if needed—for the San Francisco Bay Area Regional Water System, a construct described as a collaboration between SFPUC and wholesale partners in Alameda, Santa Clara and San Mateo counties.

No public commenters spoke on the item. Dorsey moved to forward the nomination with a positive recommendation. The clerk conducted a roll call: Vice Chair Shimon Walton voted "aye," Supervisor Asha Safai was recorded absent, and Chair Dorsey voted "aye." The clerk announced the motion passed without objection.

The committee also referenced an April 19, 2022 board resolution (No. 153-22) that had earlier appointed Herrera to fill an unexpired term, and said this resolution would extend that appointment into a full four-year term. The item is scheduled to appear on the full Board of Supervisors agenda on May 23, 2023, unless otherwise noted.