By Sara Beth Williams–
During a Citrus Heights joint candidate forum, held Tuesday evening, Oct. 13, Mike Nishimura. challenger against incumbent George Machado for the San Juan Water Board Division 1 seat, said he feels there is a “horrible” relationship between the two water districts. Nishimura says he is running in hopes of taking steps to improve that divide.
During the forum, hosted by Citrus Heights Neighborhood Areas Seven Eight Nine, candidates from both the Water District Division 1 and the Citrus Heights City Council District candidates for District 2 were given opportunities to answer questions about local community issues.
Both candidates for the Water Board shook hands before being seated in front of the audience. The candidates were asked several questions regarding their relevant experience, water supply rights. water prices, and top priorities if elected.
Each candidate was given two minutes to introduce themselves and then one minute to respond to identical questions. Following the forum, audience members were able to meet and greet with candidates.
Nishimura said he was running because he wanted to ensure Citrus Heights Water District is being represented fairly on the water board and strongly emphasized multiple times the negative impacts of a rumored merger of two regional water districts.
“My biggest fear right now is the possibility of a Sac Suburban and San Juan Water District merger,” Nishimura said, adding that he does not want Sac Suburban to control the water supply rights and the treatment plant.
Machado said the potential for a merger was a rumor.
Both candidates emphasized that the current water rates are the best around compared to other places in the county, state, and nationally.
Both candidates said the relationship between the Citrus Heights Water District and San Juan Water District needs to be rebuilt or improved. Nishimura advocated for opening up negotiations, and Machado lamented that the San Juan Water district has tried negotiations in the past.
Machado said his top priorities are maintaining a decent water rate price and retaining and protecting water rights. Nishimura echoed both priorities and reiterated that the working relationship between the Citrus Heights and San Juan water districts must be improved.
Machado has worked for the San Juan Water District for 25 years and retired in 2020, with the title of field services manager. He also worked in underground construction prior, he says. Machado was appointed by the Water District board in September 2025 to fill a vacancy created by a previous board member’s resignation.
Nishimura is listed as the vice chair of the Citrus Heights Water Board Customer Advisory Committee and said Tuesday he has been part of the CAC for about 10 years.
Citrus Heights Water Board CAC Chair Andrew Johnson is also running for a seat on the San Juan Water Board to represent Division 5. Johnson is running against incumbent Ted Costa.
Division 1 is one of two San Juan Water District divisions shared between Sacramento and Placer counties, representing most of Citrus Heights as well as Granite Bay.
An estimated 60 people attended the joint forum, CHASEN president Bill Shirely said Wednesday. For those who were not able to attend, a full video recording of the forum is available on the neighborhood area’s YouTube channel here.
