NOMINEE REQUIRING SENATE CONFIRMATION
EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENT BACKGROUND SUMMARY
POSITION: Arizona Water Banking Authority, Member (Entities in Counties)
APPOINTING GOVERNOR: Janice K. Brewer
DATE OF APPOINTMENT: March 17, 2009
FUNCTION OF THE Arizona Water Banking Authority:
The Arizona Water Banking Authority (Authority) was established in 1996 by the Legislature to fully utilize Arizona’s Colorado River entitlement and to provide a mechanism to store Central Arizona Project (CAP) water that would be otherwise unused. The Arizona Water Banking Authority Commission (Commission) is required by statute to execute the purpose, powers, and duties of the Authority. Among its requirements, the Commission must determine, on an annual basis, the quantity of Colorado River water to be stored, as well as the location of the storage. The Authority, through its Commission, is also responsible for firming water for Indian tribes in Arizona during times of shortage, and is authorized to enter into interstate banking agreements
STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS FOR POSITION:
Pursuant to A.R.S. § 45-2421, members of the Commission must be residents of Arizona. Members are appointed by the Governor for six-year terms, and include a representative knowledgeable in water resource management, a representative of an entity adjacent to the mainstream of the Colorado River that holds a contract for the diversion and beneficial consumptive use of Colorado River water and a representative of an entity that holds a CAP municipal and industrial subcontract. Other members include the Director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) who serves as chairperson of the Authority, the President of the Central Arizona Water Conservation District (CAWCD), a nonvoting ex-officio member appointed by the Senate President and a nonvoting ex-officio member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
CURRENT MEMBERSHIP AND TERM EXPIRATIONS:
The Honorable Robert Burns President of the State Senate (Ex-officio)
The Honorable Kirk Adams Speaker of the House of Representatives (Ex-officio)
Herb Guenther Director of the ADWR
Lisa Atkins Designee of the CAWCD President
John Mawhinney January 19, 2009
Maureen R. George January 19, 2009
Tom Buschatzke January 19, 2015
SALARY OR OTHER COMPENSATION:
Members appointed by the Governor serve without compensation but are eligible for reimbursement for expenses from the Arizona Water Banking Fund.
BUDGET AND FTES:
Although it may receive state General Fund monies, the Arizona Water Banking Fund (Fund) primarily operates on other sources of revenue. The Fund last received state General Fund monies in 2006. The Fund operates on fees associated with the purchase, lease, storage and delivery of Colorado River water to municipalities and industrial water users within the Phoenix, Pinal and Tucson Active Management Areas. In addition, the Fund may receive a portion of the four percent property tax collected by the CAWCD in order to pay for water storage, as well as any payments made pursuant to an interstate banking agreement with Nevada. The Commission has 3.5 FTE positions, with one current vacancy.
NOMINEE’S QUALIFICATIONS:
Education:
Arizona State University, Advanced Public Executive Program
University of Arizona, Juris Doctor
Loyola University of Chicago, BA Honors, Political Science
Employment:
President, Law Offices of Maureen George: 2005 – Present
General Council, Mohave County Water Authority: 2005 – Present
City Attorney, Lake Havasu City: 1992 – 2005
City Attorney, City of Chandler: 1987 – 1991
Associate, Bill Stephens & Associates: 1986 – 1987
Assistant City Attorney, City of Phoenix: 1986
City Attorney’s Office, City of Yuma: 1977 – 1986
Other Qualifications:
Arizona Water Banking Authority: 2003 – Present
Vice Chairman: 2007 – 2008
Arizona Water Institute Advisory Board Member: 2006 – Present
Statewide Water Advisory Group, Member: 2006 – Present
Colorado River Water Users Association, Member: 2005 – Present
Arizona Water Banking Authority, Member: 2003 – Present
Governor’s Colorado River Advisory Council, Member: 2003 – Present
Mohave/La Paz County DES Human Rights Committee: 2000 – 2002
Nautilus Elementary School Site Council: 1994 – 1996 and 2002 – 2003
National Institute of Municipal Officers, Regional Vice President: 1980 – 1986
Arizona State Chairperson: 1991; Vice Chair – Health and Environment Section: 1983
Mohave County Water Authority, Secretary/Treasurer: 1995 – 2005
Arizona City Attorneys Association, President: 1979 – 1980 and 1982 – 1983
State Bar of Illinois: 1977
State Bar of Arizona: 1976
Clean Colorado River Alliance
Natural Resources, Infrastructure and Public Debt Committee
April 30, 2009