Montecito Sanitary District appoints John Murphy to board

The Montecito Sanitary District on May 13 appointed John Murphy to a vacant board seat, restoring the board to a full complement and giving Murphy a term through Dec. 4, 2026.

The board interviewed two applicants in open session and deliberated in public before Director Johnson moved to appoint Murphy. The motion was seconded and carried by the directors present. The board recessed briefly and returned to swear in Murphy; staff confirmed required signature forms and that nothing prevented him from assuming duties immediately.

Murphy described his interest as service plus applying his financial background to district capital work. "Interest is really twofold," he said in his remarks introducing himself. Directors said the board faces major capital decisions and that Murphy's finance experience would be useful as the district evaluates options for large projects.

The appointment fills a seat vacated earlier in April; the appointee must run in November if he seeks to serve the full four-year term. The board said Murphy has the same fiduciary responsibilities as other members and encouraged him to participate fully as the district moves into its capital planning work.