A woman with short black hair with purple highlights, wearing pink glasses and a dark patterned blazer, smiling outdoors with blurred colorful foliage in the background.

Foothill Municipal Water District — Division 4

Reliable water depends on thoughtful decisions—not automatic approvals.

Water-related property taxes have more than doubled since 2024, with another 20% increase this year. For many families—especially those on fixed incomes—these decisions are felt directly in monthly bills and property taxes.

Foothill Municipal Water District has one responsibility: deliver safe, reliable water at the lowest responsible cost. Every major decision should be measured against that mission.

With our region facing multi-billion-dollar infrastructure upgrades, Foothill Municipal Water District is making decisions today that will affect water rates, property taxes, and the reliability of our supply for decades. These decisions require experienced judgment from day one.

I am a Professional Engineer, a 30-year La Cañada Flintridge resident, a commissioner on the City's Public Works & Traffic Commission, and a member of its Emergency Preparedness Coordination Committee.

For 40 years, I have worked on California water issues—from planning and financing infrastructure projects to advising regional water district board members on major policy and investment decisions.

Foothill MWD needs board members who understand both the engineering and the policy behind these decisions. My career has given me both perspectives—the technical background to understand the issues and the policy experience to evaluate tradeoffs before long-term commitments are made.

Are we investing wisely in maintaining and improving the water system we depend on every day? Are projects delivering the greatest long-term value for ratepayers? Are we prepared for the next Eaton Fire—or the next disaster?

These decisions require experienced judgment, independent oversight, and accountability. That is why I am running for the Foothill Municipal Water District Board.

Vote Amy Chen, Division 4 — because I know how to ask the right questions and demand answers.

Water Expertise. Policy Experience. Local Accountability.

With a career spanning four decades in California water management, my experience bridges the gap between complex engineering realities and high-level fiscal policy.

Professional Credentials & Experience

  • Licensed California Professional Engineer (P.E.): Forty years helping public agencies make complex engineering, financial, and policy decisions about California's water future.

  • Los Angeles Department of Water & Power: Hands-on engineering experience planning, building, and operating critical water infrastructure, including pipelines, pumping stations, and storage facilities. I have worked on the practical realities of keeping a water system safe, reliable, and resilient.

  • San Diego County Water Authority: Executive policy advisory role, analyzing multi-million dollar tradeoffs and advising four Metropolitan Water District board representatives on the decisions that shape water reliability, rates, and long-term investments. The work of weighing tradeoffs, asking hard questions, and advising on every major commitment a water board makes.

Deep Local Roots & Civic Service

  • 30-Year Resident of La Cañada Flintridge

Current Municipal Service

  • Commissioner, La Cañada Flintridge Public Works & Traffic Commission

  • Member, La Cañada Flintridge Emergency Preparedness Coordination Committee

Past Community Leadership & Oversight

  • Member, LCUSD School Bond Oversight Committee

  • Former Board Member, La Cañada Flintridge Educational Foundation

  • Member & Volunteer, Local PTA

Real scrutiny for spending. Real accountability to ratepayers.

Priorities

  • Reliable water for our community

  • Transparent water rates and property tax impacts

  • Protection for residents on fixed incomes

  • Prudent, sustainable infrastructure investment

  • Genuine disaster and emergency preparedness

  • Aggressively pursuing grants and external funding to reduce costs

  • Climate-adaptive and resilient infrastructure that protects our local environment and prevents costly future failures

  • Fair treatment and safe working conditions for water district employees

My Approach

  • Ask the hard questions before your money is committed

  • Demand clear, plain-language justification for rate and tax increases

  • Evaluate real alternatives and tradeoffs

  • Challenge assumptions that drive unnecessary spending

  • Independent judgment — not rubber stamps

Independent judgment. Real accountability.

Water decisions are long-term commitments about cost, risk, and public trust.

The right questions lead to better decisions.

I would be honored to earn your support.