EWUA meeting marked by escalating calls for transparency, accountability, leadership change

||| FROM CORY HARRINGTON |||

The Eastsound Water Users Association Board meeting was attended by approximately 50 members and reflected a night of significant tension alongside moments of earnest, heartfelt concern from community members deeply invested in the future of the utility.

Early in the meeting, the Board President referenced a prior request for a third-party investigation into workplace and governance concerns. She stated the Board had reviewed the request but would not initiate an investigation while union negotiations are ongoing, adding that those negotiations are nearing completion and that she did not want to manage “two major processes” simultaneously.

The General Manager was absent in person due to an emergency but was reportedly present via Zoom. At least one additional Board member also attended remotely.

Public comment was limited to three minutes per speaker and taken from a sign-up list.

Throughout the evening, there was a consistent and growing sense of frustration rooted in a belief that repeated concerns have not resulted in meaningful action. While some comments were sharp in tone, many speakers also spoke from a place of genuine concern, care for the system, and a desire for stability in both operations and governance. The dominant sentiment from the room could be summarized as: we’ve raised these issues repeatedly, we don’t feel heard, and we don’t understand what more is required to prompt meaningful response or change.

Transparency and trust remained central themes. Multiple members called for clearer financial reporting and more accessible budget and expense information, repeatedly asking to “show us the financials.” Several speakers stated they do not trust the Board, with comments characterizing leadership as “incompetent or incapable” of addressing ongoing issues.

Operator turnover and working conditions were again a major concern. Members referenced repeated recent resignations and warned of continued strain on system operations and institutional knowledge. One speaker asked, “What if another employee quits,” reflecting concern about staffing sustainability and system resilience.

Calls for action escalated during the meeting, including statements urging members to “remove the GM” and calls to “recall the Board.” One speaker suggested members consider “pooling our money to sue the Board,” while another raised the possibility of withholding water bill payments as a form of pressure to be heard.

A contentious exchange occurred during public comment regarding a prior workplace incident involving a former employee. During discussion of the term “assault,” a Board member questioned its use in context, prompting a strong reaction from attendees and further increasing tension in the room. At several points during the evening, Board members challenged or interrupted speakers, contributing to the adversarial tone of the meeting.

Financial oversight concerns were also raised, including requests for more detailed breakdowns of operating expenses and improved transparency beyond annual IRS filings. A member again suggested forming a community advisory committee to work directly with the Board and management.

Overall, the meeting reflected a widening disconnect between the Board and many members of the association. Most of the concerns raised were not new. Questions regarding staffing, workplace culture, financial transparency, governance, and accountability have been voiced repeatedly over recent months, although some new concerns were also introduced, including questions regarding fire preparedness and related coordination issues. What appeared to be growing was not simply frustration with any single issue, but a broader loss of confidence that member concerns are being acknowledged and addressed. Despite the tension, many attendees continued to express a desire for solutions, transparency, and a stable future for the utility that serves the community.