Tulare County water agencies hire longtime attorney as new general manager

The boards of Lower Tule River and Pixley Irrigation Districts in Tulare County announced that their longtime legal counsel, Alex Peltzer, is taking on the role of general manager. His first day will be May 22. 

Peltzer replaces Eric Limas, who resigned to become chief operating officer at the Friant Water Authority. 

Lower Tule River is one of the largest irrigation districts in the state, covering more than 104,000 acres with more than 150 miles of canals and Tule River frontage in the southern portion of Tulare County’s flatlands. It is known for playing an active role in local, state and federal water policy. Nearby, Pixley covers nearly 70,000 acres. 

Peltzer is the fourth general manager of the districts, which share a common management approach that will continue under Peltzer’s leadership.

Peltzer, 60, has spent 27 years in the legal profession, mostly representing public water districts and other public entities. He has worked with the two districts for the past 25 years, including representing them in state and federal water litigation and policy development. 

More recently, Peltzer led the legal effort to develop Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA)  plans for the districts, which also formed their own groundwater agencies. 

Lower Tule board member Josh Pitigliano said in a phone call that he is looking forward to a new chapter for the districts. 

“Alex is a good fit with all the challenges we have going,” he said. “He will hit the ground running.” 

Said water consultant Dan Vink: “Alex is a good choice. He has good experience and knows California water.”

In addition to his legal experience, Peltzer worked as a congressional aide in Washington, D.C. and in the San Joaquin Valley, where he initially became involved in water policy issues. He is a Visalia native and holds a bachelor’s degree from University of Notre Dame and a master’s from University of Missouri. He graduated with highest honors from San Joaquin College of Law in 2001.

Peltzer said he is honored to be entrusted with the position at districts that he said have been leaders in water management. 

“But really the biggest attraction to me is getting to join the dedicated group of people that these districts employ,” he is quoted in a press release issued by the districts.

The districts also have challenges. Lower Tule has access to extensive surface water while Pixley is primarily groundwater dependent. An estimated 20,000 acres will come out of production in Pixley under the state’s new groundwater rules. 

Peltzer will also oversee the management agreement with Tea Pot Dome and Vandalia water districts, as well as Pioneer Water Company.

Peltzer will be taking leave from his law firm, Peltzer Richardson & Koontz, and will not be serving as general counsel to the districts in his new position. 

An employment contract is being negotiated and is expected to be approved during the districts’ May meetings. Limas earned $287,400 in pay and $94,669 in benefits for total compensation of $382,069 as General Manager in 2024, according to Transparent California, which tracks public employee pay.

Peltzer’s appointment is the latest in a string of moves among Tulare County water managers. In November, Jason Phillips announced his resignation as chief executive officer of Friant Water Authority, and chief operating officer Johnny Amaral was appointed to the role. Limas then moved into Amaral’s former position.