Challenger for a seat on the Porterville Irrigation District board loses by one vote

Of four Tulare County irrigation district elections held last month, the tightest race was in Porterville. 

Jared Plumlee ran against two-term incumbent Tim Witzel for a seat on the Porterville Irrigation District board. The final tally was 111 for Plumlee to 112 for Witzel.

While disappointed, Plumlee said he won’t seek a recount.

“I have faith that the elections officials have done a great job when it comes to fairly and accurately counting ballots in the race,” he said.

He does intend to stay involved at the district, however.

“Every decision this board makes moving forward is critical to the futures of all PID landowners,” he said.

Plumlee manages operations for Booth Ranches, a citrus grower, packer and distributor. 

Booth Ranches does not own any acreage in Porterville ID, but Plumlee lives in the district.  

Porterville ID may vote to remove itself from the Eastern Tule Groundwater Sustainability Agency and form its own GSA. Eastern Tule is being sued by Friant Water Authority for not paying what Friant says it owed for its share of repairs to the sinking Friant-Kern Canal. 

Friant also recently hit several irrigation districts, including Porterville ID, with hefty fees to pay for canal repairs that it says Eastern Tule has shirked. Some of those districts are appealing that fee.

Other Tulare County irrigation district election results include:

• Alpaugh ID — Incumbent Bill Mitchell was re-elected, joined by newcomers Robert Dale Bontrager and Nora Field. 
• Exeter ID — Incumbent Robert Ward defeated Mark Rip. 
• Terra Bella ID — Incumbent Kurt Parsons defeated Levi Paulin. 
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