The Helix Water District Board will fill a seat vacated by Director Luis P. Tejeda through an application and interview process.
The board this week voted 4-0 to give public notice for 15 days, announcing the vacancy in Division 1. It will accept applications through Jan. 26, and interview and appoint a new director at a special board meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 30.
The notice has been posted through a press release to local media outlets, at the Fletcher Hills Library and at the East County Courthouse. The information is also at the district on University Avenue, and on the district’s website.
Tejeda was elected to the Division 1 seat in November, but resigned as of Dec. 30, 2016, citing possible business conflicts of interests. He beat out challenger Dan McMillan by 185 votes, incumbent John Linden by 1,673 votes and a fourth candidate, Aaron Zajac, by 4,841 votes.
Several speakers at the Jan. 11 board meeting said the board should appoint the second-place votegetter in the election. Helix attorney Elisabeth Hull explained that bylaws prohibit the water agency from doing so. McMillan was in the audience and had spoken at previous meetings about his interest in the open position.
To be eligible, applicants must be a registered voter in the district, a current resident of Division 1 and must stay in the area through his or her entire term.
Division 1 is the East County area north of Interstate 8 in El Cajon and includes the Fletcher Hills and Bostonia neighborhoods.
The board also voted last week to change the starting times of public meetings. The 2 p.m. start times have long been an issue for ratepayers who say they cannot attend afternoon meetings.
Starting Feb. 1, regular board meetings will start at 6 p.m. at the district office. The meetings, on the first and third Wednesdays of the month, have started at 2 p.m. for more than 15 years.
Special Committee of the Board meetings will be held at 3 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday every month. Attendance at those by board members isn’t required and no votes are taken at those meetings.
