2026 Candidates for Board of Trustees

We have two (2) Board of trustee positions up for election and four (4) individuals who have expressed a desire to run and have submitted their bios which can be seen below.

Please vote for two (2) candidates or a write-in. In person voting will be available before the annual shareholders meeting which will be November 8th at 10:00 AM, held at the Water Building located at 1717 S Badger Way, New Harmony UT 84757.

Candidate Debbie Caldwell
My name is Debbie Caldwell.  My husband, Dan Caldwell, and our 4 children moved to New Harmony in February of 2026.  We love this beautiful country and I’m excited to get involved and help in the community.  I grew up in Carbon and Emery counties helping my dad irrigate his alfalfa fields on his cattle ranch.  From a young age I understood the importance of water in this dry land.  After attending law school I moved to Arizona where I practiced water law and appellate law for several years.  Dan and I then moved to Cache Valley where I practiced law for a short period of time before we were blessed with our beautiful children.  Since that time I have devoted my time and energy to my family.  I would be happy to serve the community on the water board.

Candidate – Suzanne Smith
I am running for the Water Board because I believe strong, experienced leadership is essential to protecting one of our community’s most important resources.  Providing safe, reliable, and affordable water requires thoughtful planning, financial management, and a commitment to serving the public with integrity.

My career has been dedicated to public service.  As a school district superintendent, I led a large public organization, managed multimillion-dollar budgets, oversaw facilities and infrastructure, and worked with elected boards, employees, and community members to make decisions that were transparent, fiscally responsible, and focused on long term success.  Those experiences have prepared me well to serve on the Water Board.

I understand the importance of balancing today’s needs and tomorrow’s challenges.  I will work to protect water quality, maintain and improve our infrastructure, plan responsibly for future growth, and ensure ratepayer dollars are spent wisely.  I believe the best decisions come from listening to the people we serve, considering all perspectives, and making choices based on sound information rather than politics. 

Our community deserves leaders who are accountable, collaborative, and committed to preserving our water resources for future generations.  I bring proven leadership, practical problem-solving skills, and a deep commitment to public service.  It would be and honor to serve on the Water Board and I respectfully ask for your support and your vote.

Suzanne Smith

Candidate Jay Sayrahder (Incumbent)
My wife and I moved from Arizona to the Valley of New Harmony in 2017. Here we built our dream home, where we plan to live out our retirement years. I am also serving as the Cross-Connection Backflow Administrator for the Mountain Springs Water Company.

After serving a tour in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam era, I pursued a career in the Aviation industry. In thirty-five plus years of flying, progression took me from Chief Pilot to flying Air Carrier operations in Alaska, being hired by the Federal Aviation Administration, certified as an Air Traffic Controller, then as an Aviation Safety Inspectors. I transferred to the U.S. Customs Service as a pilot/Federal Agent, Instructor Pilot for over twenty years. Conducted drug interdiction /enforcement operations nationally and throughout South America in partnership with appropriate foreign governments. Advancing to supervisor, managing all facets of aviation operations, ensuring that the risk of each mission was acceptable before committing manpower or aviation resources; balancing crew experience against mission priorities and external factors. Performed missions nationally; dedicated to preventing terrorist attacks within the United States, reducing vulnerability to terrorism and relief in natural disasters.

Candidate – Bruce Swanson (Incumbent)
My wife Monique and I have lived in New Harmony, Utah for 6 years. I have had the opportunity to serve on the water board for the past 2 years. My hobbies are training and hunting bird dogs, hiking and anything that involves the outdoors.