Why Division 2 Needs New Leadership at NID

If you pay a water bill in NID Division 2, you already know the feeling: another rate increase, another year of wondering where the money is going, and another board meeting where ratepayers' concerns seem to disappear into the agenda.

It doesn't have to be this way.

The Problem With NID's Current Direction

The Nevada Irrigation District serves tens of thousands of ratepayers across Nevada County. For farmers, ranchers, and rural homeowners in Division 2, NID isn't just a utility — it's the lifeblood of the land.

But over the past several years, Division 2 ratepayers have watched water rates climb steadily while transparency at the district has not kept pace. Rate increases have been approved with minimal public input. Infrastructure decisions have been made without adequate explanation to the communities they affect. And the voices of working farmers and rural landowners — the people who depend most on NID — have too often gone unheard at the board table.

This isn't a partisan issue. It's a basic question of accountability: are the people running NID working for ratepayers, or for themselves?

What Accountable Water District Leadership Looks Like

Accountability at a water district isn't complicated. It means:

• Transparent rate-setting processes where ratepayers can see exactly how increases are calculated and justified
• Open board meetings where public comment is genuinely welcomed, not tolerated
• Infrastructure decisions that prioritize the long-term health of the system over short-term convenience
• Honest communication about the district's financial position, capital needs, and long-range plans

These aren't radical demands. They're the baseline that Division 2 ratepayers deserve — and haven't consistently received.

Why James Smith Is the Right Choice for Division 2

James Smith has spent his life working the land in Nevada County. He's a farmer, a rancher, and a ratepayer — someone who understands firsthand what NID's decisions mean for the people who depend on the district's water.

He's not a career politician. He's a neighbor who got tired of watching Division 2's interests get sidelined and decided to do something about it.

James's platform is straightforward:

Stop rubber-stamping rate increases. Every proposed rate increase should be scrutinized line by line, with a clear public explanation of what the money is for and why it's necessary. Ratepayers deserve to know what they're paying for.

Bring Division 2 voices to the table. The board should hear from farmers, ranchers, and rural homeowners — not just from staff reports and consultants. James will hold regular community meetings in Division 2 to stay connected to the people he represents.

Prioritize infrastructure that serves ratepayers. Long-term infrastructure planning should focus on reliability, efficiency, and keeping costs down — not on projects that benefit the district bureaucracy at ratepayers' expense.

Demand financial transparency. NID's budget and financial decisions should be easy for any ratepayer to understand. James will push for clearer, more accessible reporting on how district funds are spent.

The Stakes in 2026

Local water district elections don't get the attention they deserve. Turnout is low. Most voters don't know who's on the ballot. And that's exactly how incumbents and insiders prefer it.

But the decisions made by NID's board affect every ratepayer in Division 2 — every month, on every water bill. The board sets rates. It approves infrastructure projects. It decides how the district communicates with the public. These are real decisions with real consequences for real families.

The 2026 election is an opportunity for Division 2 ratepayers to send a clear message: we want a board member who works for us.

How You Can Help

James Smith's campaign runs on community support — not special interests, not developer money, not insider connections. Just neighbors helping a neighbor get to the table.

There are two ways to make a difference right now:

Spread the word. Talk to your neighbors, your fellow farmers, your friends in Division 2. A lot of people don't know this election is happening. You can change that.

Make a donation. Campaign funds pay for mailers, yard signs, and voter outreach — the tools that help James reach every Division 2 voter before Election Day. Every dollar goes directly toward making sure ratepayers know they have a choice in 2026.

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Paid for by James Smith for NID Division 2.