Winter freeze, Panther Island weigh on Tarrant water vote. Here’s our recommendations

We’ve learned over and over again recently the importance of the folks who oversee our water supply.

There was February’s deep freeze and power outage, which cut off the flow for more than a million Texans. That was more a problem caused by city utilities losing power than the independent board that manages our water supply, the Tarrant Regional Water District. But the district’s moves to help those suffering and to protect the water supply proved the value of steady leadership.

The district also oversees the Panther Island project, a source of ongoing irritation to voters.

So, the need for leadership at the district, and to ensure outside perspectives are heard, is significant. The slate of candidates to fill three of the five seats provides a strong set of choices. Incumbents James Hill and Leah King have earned re-election, and repeat challenger Charles “C.B.” Team should win a term as well. All are Fort Worth residents.

It takes specialized knowledge and sustained attention to govern an institution that deals in a subject as complicated as ensuring adequate water for a growing population for decades to come. King, a 52-year-old nonprofit executive, has served since 2017 and is now board secretary. Hill, 42, who works in finance, has used his expertise to ask questions and seek accountability.

Team, 38, has been preparing to be a board member for years, attending meetings as a citizen. His real estate background gives him an up-close view of the county’s sustained growth and the needs it brings.

That leaves out an incumbent, board President Jack Stevens of Azle. The longest-serving board member with 17 years of tenure, he brings valuable institutional experience and knowledge.

Stevens told us in our candidate interview that the board is poised to approve a replacement for longtime General Manager Jim Oliver, who’s retiring, before Election Day. If necessary, he’d even be fine with lame-duck board members voting on such a crucial hire after the election but before new members are sworn in.

“These five people that are on the board right now have a better understanding of what TRWD is about and ... would make a better decision” on Oliver’s replacement, said Stevens, a 77-year-old retired engineer.

We were taken aback at the arrogance of the comment. If voters want to signal they want a new direction at the water district, Stevens isn’t interested in even waiting to hear from them. The board should not vote on a monumental hire this close to an election, even if it’s likely that most of the members will remain the same.

On Panther Island, the candidates acknowledged that there isn’t likely to be a “Plan B” that gets around the need for the federal government to dig the Trinity River bypass channel. Most see public-private partnerships as a potential tool to speed other development, and they largely agree that the flood control aspects must get the primary focus.

Candidate Jeremy Raines shows promise as someone engaged on the issues, though he had few specific proposals. Former board member Mary Kelleher seeks to return to the board as a disruptor. And candidate Glenda Murray Thompson needs a bit more study before she’s ready for office.

The loss of Stevens’ experience would no doubt be felt. But sometimes, trading a little institutional knowledge for a more open atmosphere — one with a little less hubris — is worth it.

Voters can choose up to three candidates, each to fill a four-year term. Only voters in the Tarrant County cities that are stakeholders in the district can cast a ballot, including most but not all of Fort Worth, Azle, Edgecliff Village, Westworth Village and Westover Hills, and part of River Oaks.. The district provides an online lookup tool, or eligible homeowners will find the code “223 Tarrant Regional Water District” on their property tax statements.