Original Sutter flood agency official moves to new post

The only executive director the Sutter-Butte Flood Control Agency has had in its four-year existence is moving on, after Bill Edgar was named Friday to the Central Valley Flood Protection Board by Gov. Jerry Brown.

Edgar, who served in the role part time since the agency formed in December 2007, was credited with organizing the joint-powers authority and leading the effort to implement a $317 million project to repair 44 miles of levees on the Feather River and Sutter Bypass.

"There's kind of conflicting emotions," Edgar said. "I'm really proud of helping bring the agency to this point, but this opportunity with the flood board is so critical and I want to help any way I can."

Construction for improved levees under the agency is set to begin next year, and received a boost in 2010 when property owners approved a benefit assessment for levee work by 72.2 percent.

SBFCA's engineering director, Mike Inamine, will temporarily take over Edgar's role until a decision is made at the agency's next meeting, on Feb. 8, about the next step.

Logically, the work on tap for the agency in the next few years is more suited to engineers and construction folks, Edgar said.

He said he was most proud of getting the agency established, convincing residents in two counties of its need, and then getting the assessment passed.

"There's light at the end of the tunnel now," he said. "We know where we're going, and we have a funding source."

The position requires Senate confirmation, and Edgar, A Democrat, will earn a salary of $40,669 a year.

Before joining the agency, Edgar was city manager for Sacramento, the first executive director of the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency, and was a member of the State Reclamation Board, which has since been renamed the Central Valley Flood Protection Board.

CONTACT Ben van der Meer at bvandermeer@appealdemocrat.com or 749-4786, on Facebook at /ADbvandermeer or on Twitter at @ADbvandermeer.