Bainbridge Island has its first contested council race.

Arlene Buetow has filed as a candidate in the Central Ward, District 5 council race.

She joins John Green, who also filed as a candidate for the position Monday.

Buetow, who has lived on Bainbridge for more than 20 years, is currently chairwoman of the city’s Utility Advisory Committee. Her term ends June 30, 2015.

“I love Bainbridge Island,” she said. “I care a great deal about keeping Bainbridge affordable and I care a great deal about economic development and I would like to see a candidate for city council that demonstrates some fiscal responsibility.”

“I’ve been actively involved in city government for the last four years, so I have a lot of ideas,” she added.

Buetow has made headlines in recent years as a proponent of outsourcing the city’s water system to the Kitsap Public Utility District, and her service on the city’s Utility Advisory Committee has been controversial at times.

Her most recent reappointment to the UAC in June 2012 was opposed by two city council members, who said Buetow was too political to serve in the advisory position, and her reappointment prompted fellow UAC committee member Bob Bosserman to resign in protest.

Bosserman recently announced plans to run for the South Ward, Position No. 3 council seat. He filed as a candidate in the race with the state Public Disclosure Commission on April 12.

Buetow is the former president of the North Bainbridge Water Company, a water utility that was sold to Poulsbo-based Kitsap Public Utility District in 2002.

Buetow also ran unsuccessfully for the District 1 position on the Kitsap Public Utility District board in 2010, but was knocked out of the race in a three-candidate primary.

The Position 5 seat is currently held by Councilwoman Debbi Lester. Lester announced earlier that she would not seek re-election.