EWUA | Progress deserves recognition. Questions deserve answers

||| FROM CORY HARRINGTON |||

Progress deserves recognition.

Over the past several months, Eastsound Water Users Association has made a noticeable effort to improve communication with its members. We’ve seen The Source newsletter, Deep Dive articles, the educational series on the New Clark Well & Treatment Plant, a new online dashboard, published financial summaries, and more frequent updates than we’ve received in years.

Those are positive developments. Members have asked for better communication for years, and the Association deserves credit for making a genuine effort to provide more information about its operations, finances, and major projects.

We’ve also seen several meaningful accomplishments. EWUA successfully completed its first collective bargaining agreement with IBEW Local 77. New employees have been hired, helping rebuild staffing after a difficult period. The Rosario wastewater treatment plant received the Washington Department of Ecology’s Outstanding Performance Award, a recognition that reflects the dedication and professionalism of the operators responsible for keeping that system running safely and reliably. These achievements deserve recognition.

Progress also invites reflection.

Better communication is something to celebrate. But communication alone does not answer every question that members have raised over the past year. Communication and accountability are not the same thing. A healthy member-owned organization requires both.

Over the past year, members have witnessed significant employee turnover, the unionization of the workforce, workplace safety citations, increasing legal expenses, and continued discussion about governance and oversight. These issues prompted many members to become more engaged than ever before—not because they wanted conflict, but because they care about the long-term health of our community-owned water association.

Several important governance decisions have also been made. The Board adopted a Conflict of Interest Policy, approved additional borrowing authority for the Clark Well project, and continues to move that project toward completion.

The Clark Well is an important investment in Eastsound’s future water supply, and no one questions the value of developing additional water resources. At the same time, members deserve to understand how a project that was originally estimated at a significantly lower cost has continued to grow. Earlier this year, the Board increased borrowing authority related to the project to a total of $1.5 million, while indicating that approximately $180,000 would be drawn immediately. The project also remains more than a year beyond its original anticipated completion. Members have reasonably continued to ask for greater transparency regarding the project’s evolving budget, schedule, and overall cost.

The Board has also chosen not to authorize the independent investigation requested by many members following concerns about workplace culture and organizational governance. Whether one agrees or disagrees with that decision, it remains one of the most significant unresolved issues facing the Association.

Financial reporting has become more accessible, which is a positive step. The published 2025 financial summaries show a profitable year and improved cash reserves. They also show significant budget variances, including professional fees that exceeded the original budget by more than fourfold. These reports provide members with valuable information—and they also create opportunities for thoughtful questions about how Association resources are being managed.

The recent communications from EWUA tell an encouraging story of progress—and much of that story is true. Staffing has improved. The union contract has been completed. Infrastructure projects continue to move forward. Communication with members is more frequent than it has been in years. At the same time, many of the governance questions that prompted so much public interest over the past year remain unresolved. Recognizing progress and continuing to ask questions are not opposing ideas; they are both part of responsible oversight in a member-owned association.

One subject that has received comparatively little attention is the upcoming Board election.

For a member-owned association, elections are among the most important responsibilities we have. Board members establish policy, approve budgets, authorize major projects, hire and evaluate the General Manager, and provide oversight on behalf of every member. The decisions made by the Board today will influence Eastsound Water for years to come.

As members prepare to vote, this is an excellent time to look beyond headlines and newsletters. Read the financial reports. Review Board meeting minutes. Attend the August Board meeting. Ask respectful questions. Listen carefully to the answers. Consider not only what has improved over the past year, but also which important questions remain unanswered.

Progress deserves recognition.

Questions deserve answers.

Those two ideas are not in conflict—they are both essential to good governance.

The past year has shown that members care deeply about Eastsound Water. That engagement should not fade simply because the conversation has become quieter. A healthy organization depends on informed members who are willing to stay involved, think critically, ask thoughtful questions, and participate in the decisions that shape its future.

EWUA belongs to its members. The future of the Association will be determined not only by its Board and staff, but by members who remain engaged, seek complete information, and participate in the upcoming election.