Michael Y. Lin, CPA, MBT, current Director of Division 5 of the Walnut Valley Water District, has officially launched his campaign to continue serving on the District’s Board of Directors in the November 3, 2026 election.


For Lin, the campaign represents far more than an election. It is the continuation of a journey that began in the very community he now serves.

Diamond Bar has been home to Lin and his family since 1999. He grew up in the community, attended local schools, built lifelong friendships here, and later developed a professional career in accounting, taxation, finance, consulting, and management.


Today, he is bringing that experience back to the community with a straightforward mission: protect reliable water service, strengthen fiscal accountability, modernize critical infrastructure, and plan responsibly for the region’s long-term water future.


Lin’s candidacy has drawn support from leaders across local government, the community, business, and civic organizations, including Walnut Mayor Allen Wu, Diamond Bar Councilmember Dr. Chia Yu Teng, Diamond Bar Councilmember Stan Liu, and other community leaders.

Lin’s connection to the community began long before he entered public service.

He attended Quail Summit Elementary School, South Pointe Middle School, and Diamond Bar High School, growing up entirely within the Walnut Valley Unified School District.

He later attended the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), with additional academic experiences at National Taiwan University and Peking University. He went on to earn a Master of Business Taxation degree from the University of Southern California (USC).


As a Certified Public Accountant, Lin built his professional experience in accounting, taxation, finance, business consulting, and management, including experience with PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers), one of the world’s leading professional services firms.

That professional background has shaped his approach to public service.

Lin believes good government requires more than good intentions. It requires careful analysis, financial discipline, transparency, accountability, and the willingness to make decisions today that will continue to serve residents decades into the future.

“As a CPA, I believe fiscal responsibility is not simply about spending less,” Lin said. “It is about spending wisely, planning ahead, and making sure every dollar is used responsibly to create real value for the people we serve.”

For a water district, he says, that responsibility is especially important.

Residents expect safe and reliable water every time they turn on the faucet. Behind that simple expectation is a complex system of water supplies, pipelines, storage facilities, pumps, meters, water-quality monitoring, technology, cybersecurity, infrastructure investment, and long-term financial planning.

Managing those resources responsibly requires both immediate attention and long-term vision.

Bringing Financial Expertise to the Board

Lin was appointed to the Walnut Valley Water District Board of Directors in July 2026 to represent Division 5.

Although relatively new to the Board, Lin has emphasized an approach centered on preparation, independent judgment, and accountability.

Rather than taking credit for work that began before his appointment, Lin says his responsibility is to understand the issues, ask the right questions, listen carefully to residents, and provide thoughtful oversight of the decisions that will shape the District’s future.

“I have only been on the Board for a few months, so I will not take credit for projects or accomplishments that began before I arrived,” Lin said. “What I can promise residents is that I will study the issues carefully, ask the questions that need to be asked, listen to our community, and bring my financial expertise and independent judgment to every major decision before the Board.”

That philosophy is at the center of his campaign: public service grounded in professionalism, accountability, and long-term responsibility.

Five Priorities for Division 5

Lin’s campaign is focused on five priorities designed to protect both today’s customers and the community’s long-term water future.

1. Keep Water Affordable

Lin supports careful review of costs, budgets, and capital investments to maintain reliable water service while remaining mindful of the financial pressures facing local families and businesses.

2. Protect Safe, Reliable, High-Quality Water

He supports continued investment in water-quality monitoring, infrastructure, skilled personnel, and the resources necessary to maintain safe and dependable service.

3. Modernize and Protect Water Infrastructure

Lin supports responsible investment in pipelines, storage facilities, pumps, meters, and new technologies. He also believes cybersecurity must be treated as an increasingly important part of modern water infrastructure, protecting both critical systems and customer information.

4. Strengthen Fiscal Responsibility and Oversight

Drawing on his background as a CPA, Lin wants to strengthen budget oversight, long-term financial planning, and responsible management of public resources.

For Lin, every dollar paid by customers should be managed carefully, transparently, and with a clear public purpose.

5. Plan Today for Tomorrow’s Water Needs

Water planning cannot stop at the next annual budget.

Lin supports long-term strategies involving infrastructure, conservation, technology, and reliable water supplies to prepare the community for its needs 10, 20, and even 30 years into the future.

“Water is one of the essential resources we depend on every single day,” Lin said. “When residents turn on the faucet, they should be able to trust that safe and reliable water will be there. The responsibility of the Water District Board is to make the right investments and decisions today so the next generation can have that same confidence.”

“Raised Here. Serving Here.”

For Lin, the campaign is deeply personal.

Since 1999, much of his life has been rooted in Diamond Bar and the greater Walnut Valley community. He attended elementary, middle, and high school here before leaving for college and graduate school, building a professional career, and ultimately returning to serve the community that helped shape him.

He describes that journey simply: “Raised here. Serving here.”

“I have always believed that strong communities require people who are willing to give their time and take responsibility,” Lin said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to serve on the Walnut Valley Water District Board, and I am asking the voters of Division 5 for the opportunity to continue that work.”

As he seeks a full term on the Board, Lin hopes to bring more than his expertise as a CPA. He also brings the perspective of someone who grew up in the community and understands that decisions involving water infrastructure and public finances will affect local families for generations.

Reliable water requires long-term planning. Responsible leadership requires accountability.

For Michael Y. Lin, those two principles come together in a simple commitment: protect the water residents depend on today while making responsible decisions that safeguard the community’s water future for the next generation.

Walnut Valley Water District Division 5 includes portions of Diamond Bar, Walnut, West Covina, Pomona, and the City of Industry.

Lin is running in the November 3, 2026 election. 

Campaign Website: www.VoteMichaelLin.org 

Instagram: @mlinforoffice 

Email: mlinforoffice@gmail.com