Candidates’ interest in seats on Mesa Water, Costa Mesa Sanitary district boards percolates

Costa Mesa voters will have a lot to think about Nov. 3 when they cast ballots in the presidential election and decide numerous statewide measures. But some local races could have even more of an impact closer to home.

Take, for instance, the contests for two special utility districts — Mesa Water District and the Costa Mesa Sanitary District — which respectively provide fresh drinking water and sewer and trash services to city residents.

Both district’s boards of directors have seats up for election in November, including the Division 2 seat on the Mesa Water District board and the Division 2 and Division 4 seats on the board that governs the Costa Mesa Sanitary District.

The seats of Mesa Water District incumbents Fred Bockmiller, who represents Division 1, and 3rd Division Director Marice H. DePasquale were also up for election, but both candidates are running unopposed.

Here is a look at the candidates, in alphabetical order, who have been qualified to run for the open seats.

Mesa Water District

Division 2

Adam Ereth: A longtime Costa Mesa resident, Ereth believes Mesa Water customers’ rates are too high and says he would focus on directing district funds toward mitigating concrete asbestos pipes and focus on a robust water conservation program. Currently finishing a PhD in water-focused research in the Norman J. Arnold School of Public Health, Ereth has been an environmental health manager working alongside governmental agencies.

James Fisler (incumbent): First elected to the board in 2010, and then reelected in 2012 and 2016, Fisler served as board president from 2012 to 2014. He credits the district’s emphasis on providing local drinking water, as opposed to imported resources, for keeping rates low. He says Mesa Water is rare in that it does not rely on property taxes for funding, so customers pay based on use.

In November, Costa Mesa Sanitary District voters will elect candidates for open seats on the district’s board of directors, representing Division 2 and Division 4.

(Don Leach / Staff Photographer)

Costa Mesa Sanitary District

Division 2

Brett Eckles: A graduate of Newport-Mesa Unified schools, Eckles owns a small business that helps build water treatment plants and facilities. He says he’s concerned about the CMSD’s involvement in two sewage spills near the Upper Newport Bay and opposes a 34% solid waste rate increase levied against residents. Eckles hopes to reduce operational expenses, reduce rates and impose term limits for directors.

James Ferryman (incumbent): First elected to the Costa Mesa Sanitary District Board in 1988, Ferryman has served as president for multiple terms and was past president of the Newport-Mesa Unified School District and the National Water Research Institute and chairman of the Orange County Sanitation District, among other leadership positions. He credits CMSD for keeping customer service ratings in the highest range during his tenure.

Division 4

Michelle Figueredo-Wilson: A real estate professional and resident of Costa Mesa’s west side, Figueredo-Wilson says she wants to do a better job serving ratepayers across CMSD’s service area by not using reserve funds to balance budgets and renegotiating the district’s service contract to realize savings and help fund infrastructure improvements. She also says she will focus on implementing a long-term financial plan that will improve the management of expenditures.

Art Perry (incumbent): First elected to the board in 1992, Perry says CMSD’s rates are among the lowest in the nation. Under his tenure, the district has implemented a curbside organics recycling program and completed nearly $6 million in wastewater-related capital improvements. An Estancia High School teacher for 40 years, Perry is a former director of Costa Mesa United, a local nonprofit that supports youth sports.

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