Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—at home, on the road, or on your tractor.
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Staff described a Super El Niño outlook that could bring intense winter storms and a higher 2027 State Water Project allocation if Northern Sierra precipitation is above average; no 2027 allocation has been set. Water-year 2025–26 demand was 40,400 acre-feet versus a 39,000-acre-foot three-year average, with hot, dry March weather adding about 1,100 acre-feet. The committee also discussed golden mussel detections and 2027 boat-inspection costs.
Metropolitan forecast FY 2026-27 water transactions at 1.15 million acre-feet, among its lowest levels and about 62,000 acre-feet below budget. Staff reported record-high storage of 3.9 million acre-feet, projected full-year expenditures $88 million below budget and year-end unrestricted reserves of $846 million. An approximately $277 million bond offering was priced at a 4.04% all-in rate, below the 4.56% estimate.
The board reviewed a draft 2027 budget of about $18 million in expenses, including an estimated $10 million for supplemental water; approval is scheduled for consideration in December. Staff said about 10 of the roughly 60 growers who tried the daily ET tool use it regularly, prompting discussion of outreach and a second trial year. Jared De Groot and Joe Cardoza were appointed to help develop a subsidence management plan.
At its November 9 strategic direction workshop, the Central Coast Water Authority board gave input to guide development of its first five-year strategic plan, with a proposed planning horizon to 2040 and adoption targeted for February 2027. Staff is surveying project participants about water needs to inform consideration of banking, transfers and possible reacquisition of suspended Table A contract entitlement. No votes or approvals were taken.
Metropolitan identified three canyon storage sites for feasibility study and recommended retaining Eagle Valley for possible future storage. Staff is examining two quarry clusters, with recommendations targeted by year-end 2027. The committee reviewed El Niño readiness and fleet electrification. In December, staff expects to seek approvals for an Edison program offering no-cost utility-side infrastructure and rebates of up to 80% for eligible customer-built charging infrastructure.
