San Rafael's drinking water supplier has a new boss.

The Marin Municipal Water District board voted unanimously Tuesday, Aug. 18, to promote watershed resources director Shaun Horne to general manager at an annual salary of $350,000, up from his current $286,620. Horne will take over Oct. 1, succeeding Ben Horenstein, who has led the district since 2018 and plans to retire at year's end.

The board selected Horne from more than 56 applicants after a national search that began in April, according to the Marin Water Board of Directors' announcement and the Marin Independent Journal, which first reported the vote and captured comments from board members at the meeting.

"We had over 56 people apply for this role," Board President Jed Smith said at the meeting. "And we narrowed it down, and we narrowed it down, and you rose to the top. Your focus and your diligence is exceptional."

Horne is an 18-year veteran in water and natural resource management. Before joining Marin Water in 2018, he worked at the Sonoma County Water District and the Napa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District. He holds a master's degree in international water resource management from Sonoma State University.

At Marin Water, Horne led the Biodiversity, Fire and Fuels Integrated Plan, which targets fire prevention and natural resource health on the Mt. Tamalpais watershed. He also helped advance the multimillion-dollar Lagunitas Creek restoration project to rehabilitate habitat for coho salmon and trout, and is leading an update to the Mt. Tamalpais Watershed Roads and Trails Plan that explores expanded bicycle access and conservation efforts.

The district, chartered in 1912 as California's oldest municipal water district, serves more than 191,000 residents in central and southern Marin County, including San Rafael. About 75% of its supply comes from rainfall on 22,000 acres of protected Mt. Tamalpais watershed, according to the district's website.

Horenstein expressed confidence in his successor at the meeting, saying he has worked with Horne for nearly eight years and has no doubt about Horne's ability to guide the district forward. Board members Ranjiv Khush and Diana Meier also praised Horne's performance during the search process.

Horne's contract includes a $500 monthly vehicle allowance and a CalPERS retirement package. Horenstein will stay on in an advisory role after Oct. 1 to ease the transition.

The next regular board meeting is Sept. 1 at 5 p.m. at Marin Water's administration building, 220 Nellen Ave., Corte Madera. Meetings are also livestreamed.