Name: Bill Condrashoff

Place of residence: Jackson

Present water source: Well

Years in district: 8

Employment situation: I am self employed. I have an electronic instrumentation business, and a printing business.

Related experience: 10 years as a grade 1 water operator. Also, running two successful businesses helps me to understand how to minimize costs.

Educational background: BS in chemical engineering with strong electronics background.

Reasons for candidacy: I feel that AWA is not serving the community well, and that I have the skills and the desire to help the AWA get back on track to provide the community with safe water at fair rates.

Changes you would make: Here is one example of the cost/benefit analysis I've done: According to its most recent participation fee study, AWA will spend $40 million on a new Tanner treatment plant at Sutter Hill to serve 10,000 customers. Then the Ione plant (now serving 3,000) will be destroyed. New customers will pay for 70 percent through hookup fees, and ratepayers will pay for the remaining 30 percent (or $12 million).

There is a far less expensive alternative for the Ione treatment facility - it could be expanded and upgraded for about $4 million to serve 2,000 additional customers. If the cost of this alternative were split evenly between existing and future customers, it would save current ratepayers about $10 million. Also, it would reduce hookup fees by $3,000 per connection.

Current housing trends indicate that there will be low growth rates in the near future. Massive infrastructure expansion without growth will certainly lead to excessive rate increases for current residents, who will pay even more for the capital projects if the growth does not come. Considering the current economic slowdown, I believe it is much wiser to expand in smaller increments.

The 2008-09 Amador Water System budget estimates that only 35 new customers will connect next year. At that rate, it will take 200 years to use up the capacity of the proposed Tanner treatment plant. Even worse, treatment plants typically don't last more than 50 years before they need to be replaced. The plant's enormous capacity may never be used before it is destroyed!

What are your "hot button" issues?

Projects with high cost/benefit. Public money used to support development. I'm fine with development as long as it pays for the needed upgrades for the project(s).

Do you think there is adequate water for future growth in Amador County?

Absolutely. Amador is using only half of its available water. At 1 percent annual growth, Amador has water for 70 years.

Do you favor a federal classification of any part of the Mokelumne River as "wild and scenic"?

Yes.

If so, do you think this classification could affect Amador County's ability to get water long term (in 20, 50, or 100 years) for future growth?

Possibly, 200 or more years from now. As I said above, Amador has a 70-year supply at 1 percent growth. Additionally, wastewater can be recycled to greatly extend our water supply. Also, Amador has water rights on the Cosumnes River that are not yet being used. Water conservation technology improvements over the years will reduce water consumption.

Do you belong to any local organizations?

No.

How do you feel about the water agency's involvement in wastewater systems?

I think it is a good idea to have wastewater tied closely with potable water. However, I do understand the public's frustration with AWA and their increased wastewater rates. AWA needs to reduce cost/benefit of capital projects.

Should the water agency get involved in the land use decision making process, or should it maintain its existing policy of simply responding to requests for water and/or wastewater service once a project has been submitted or approved?

No, AWA should not make land use decisions.

Are you either supporting or endorsing any other water agency board candidates?

Undecided.

Have you been discussing your campaign with any other candidates?

Yes. I've pretty much have talked, or hope to talk, to all of them.