It isn't water commissioner. It is city commissioner who runs the water bureau. Portland has commission form of government where the commissioners are legislative body like city council but also runs departments.
Sarcasm? Can't tell.
If it is, then it's ill-placed. A commissioner is someone who is granted a commission and is appointed.
That's not true. There are many elected positions with the title of commissioner. For example, Port commissioner, County commissioner, or a PUD commissioner.