District News

 

South Indian River Water Control District's Board of Supervisors Names William Kennedy as Executive Director

The South Indian River Water Control District Board of Supervisors has selected William 'Chad' Kennedy as the new Executive Director for the District. Mr. Kennedy takes over the position on June 5, 2024, from Michael Dillon who retired from the District in April.

In choosing a new Executive Director, the Board was looking for an experienced candidate who could maintain the efficient and effective day-to-day operation and management of the District, both now and in the future. They felt that Mr. Kennedy’s extensive employment experience and Master's degree in Business Administration will provide a sound foundation to accomplish this goal.

Previously, Mr. Kennedy was a Program Administrator with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Water Policy and Ecosystem Restoration, from August 2006 to May 2024. He was responsible for managing a team of engineers and biologists providing planning support and regulatory guidance to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and South Florida Water Management District to help ensure projects met state objectives and compliance with applicable laws. He served as agency spokesperson on the South Florida Water Management District's Water Resources Analysis Coalition, the Loxahatchee River Management Coordinating Council, and Science Coordination Group. In addition, he has expertise managing construction, wetland restoration, public recreation, scientific research, and various grants and contracts.

Prior to working at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, he was a Senior Environmental Scientist at South Florida Water Management District. Mr. Kennedy worked in a number of positions over his tenure there from September 1990 to August 2006, including Staff Environmental Scientist, Senior Supervising Scientific Associate, and Scientific Technician.

Mr. Kennedy has a Bachelor of Science degree, as well as a Master's of Business Administration with Environmental Emphasis degree from Florida Atlantic University, and he also is licensed as a Florida Certified Contract Manager.

Mr. Kennedy has been a resident of Jupiter Farms for over 30 years and welcomes the opportunity to help ensure the safety and well-being of District landowners through the management of stormwater, as well as protection of water quality and the environment.

“We were fortunate to have had a number of qualified candidates to choose from, but Mr. Kennedy’s education and employment experience were exceptional,” said Board of Supervisors’ President Michael Howard. “We look forward to working with him to continue providing outstanding service to the landowners of the District.”

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South Indian RIver Water Control District Receives Proclamation from Palm Beach County

The South Indian River Water Control DIstrict received a proclamation celebrating its 100th Anniversary from Palm Beach County Commissioner Maria Marino at the 29th Annual Landowners Family Day on March 18, 2023. From left to right - Supervisors John Meyer, Tom Powell, Palm Beach County Commissioner Maria Marino, Manager of Operations Michael Dillon, Supervisors John Jones and Susan Kennedy.

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New Telemetry System for Jupiter Farms Now Operational

At a Board of Supervisors Board Meeting held on June 17, 2021, the Board approved a recommendation by the Manager of Operations, Michael Dillon, to replace the outdated telemetry system for Canals 2 through 5 and 14 in Jupiter Farms as a capital improvement project in the 2021-2022 Proposed Budget. The cost of $164,000 was based on proposals from vendors with expertise in constructing these types of systems. The system is now installed and operational.

What is telemetry? According to Wikipedia, “Telemetry is the automatic recording and transmission of data from remote or inaccessible sources to an IT system in a different location for monitoring and analysis.” Some major uses of telemetry include communications, meteorology, military intelligence, flight testing, and health care. Telemetry is an automated communications process, which is usually associated with Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition systems comprised of computers, networked data communications and graphical user interfaces. This allows for high-level supervisory management of data and the ability to send control commands to devices in the field.

There are five water control structures in the system that are intended to improve groundwater recharge and reduce over-drainage during the District’s dry season. It also is designed to improve water quality of runoff discharged into the Northwest Fork of the Loxahatchee River. The District’s Telemetry System for the structures enables management to control gate elevations, as well as monitor headwater/tailwater levels from the District’s Work Center, instead of manually making changes and taking readings in the field. This is particularly important during storm events.

Originally installed as part of the 9th Plan of Improvements begun in 2005, the telemetry system has become outdated and is no longer functioning as originally designed. Over the past couple of years, the system is showing its age and parts are becoming obsolete, so a complete upgrade is in order. The District Engineer originally provided initial construction plans, specifications, permitting and design of a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system in 2005, as well as construction inspection services and project certifications. Each water control structure contained a sheet pile weir with concrete cap from approximately 30 feet to 50 feet wide and an operable dual-gate structure that is 72 inches wide by 48 inches tall. Each gate was designed with telemetry in order to control them remotely at the District Work Center. The structures may also be operated manually.

Philip Walton Celebrates FIve Years of Service

Dustin Fazio, Supervisor of Operations, (on right), presents a certificate of acheivement award to Philip Walton for five years of dedicated service to South Indian River Water Control District. Mr. Walton joined the District as an equipment operator in May 2019.

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Tom Powell Re-Elected to Board of Supervisors

The Board of Supervisors ratified the certified results of the 2023 Board of Supervisors election received from the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections, Wendy Sartory Link at the monthly board meeting of the South Indian River Water Control District held on Dec. 7, 2023,. Tom Powell was re-elected to the Board with 945 votes.

Mr. Powell was sworn in by the District’s Attorney, Seth Behn. Michael Howard was elected President, Tom Powell as Vice-President, and Jane Woodward as Secretary.

In addition, the following appointments were made to the committees – Thomas Powell and John Jones - Budgeting; Susan Kennedy - Communications; John Jones - Parks, Recreation and Water; and John Meyer and Michael Howard - Policies and Procedures.

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Manatees!

Mother and baby manatees were spotted in a canal in the District!

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