One of the few Nevada County races on Election Night that was too close to call was for the Division Five seat on Nevada Irrigation District Board of Directors. Rich Johansen had only a 22-vote lead over John Norton, for the seat being vacated by Nick Wilcox. But his lead has now widened into what’s looking insurmountable. Johansen says he wants to bring a stronger agriculture background to the Board. But he admits it’ll be difficult to overcome the recommendation from a Cost of Service study that asks for significantly higher rates for raw water customers…

But Norton says, unlike another newly-elected member, Karen Hull, that the fiscal management by the district has been sound, with a reserve of about 90-million dollars, despite COVID impacts. As for Centennial Dam, he’s not sure whether NID can afford it, but they need to keep looking for a way to finance it, especially as climate change affects the water supply…

Johansen says one possible funding source is through the Federal Government’s Wester Water Storage Infrastructure Act, which the district qualifies to apply for.