Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—at home, on the road, or on your tractor.
Proud Partners of
The board approved a not-to-exceed $259,640 work release with David's Engineering to advance the Robert Van Lier Regulating Reservoir expansion to 100% design (projected near 500 acre-feet). Staff presented continued east-side groundwater declines and SGMA demand-management timelines (starting ~30%). Out-of-district deliveries exceeded 12,000 acre-feet in 2025, generating nearly $3 million in revenue.
The board approved a reduced property tax rate of $0.05 per $100 assessed valuation for FY 2026/2027, down $0.01 from last year. Directors raised concerns about proposed data centers' water demand, with Vice President McKenna asking whether the Agency can refuse service (no board action taken). The Sites Reservoir project received an additional $268.9M in state funding (total $1.3B); the draft water rights permit is now expected September 3.
The board approved the FY 2026–2027 budget ($643,700). The board discussed LandIQ costs and a possible long-term shift toward well metering (no decision). The Public Review Draft 2026 Amended GSP was released for public review; a 60-day comment period is proposed, with a draft deadline of Sept. 5, 2026. The board approved pursuing Grapevine RV Park and Cuyama Orchards wells for water quality monitoring, with Tut Brothers wells as backup.
Fees were raised to the maximum allowed under the existing Prop 218 assessment for FY 2026-27 alongside an unbalanced budget (~$500,000 shortfall) expected to be covered by reserves. The GSA approved up to $184,800 with David's Engineering for demand management program development. Staff and members discussed revisiting finances in early 2027 as actual costs become clearer.
The board authorized a rebid (Res. 26-04) and began county paperwork for the $32.85/acre assessment (Res. 26-03). Staff discussed using the Aug. 5 meeting as a go/no-go point ahead of the county's Aug. 10 deadline, depending on grant confirmation and rebid numbers; otherwise it could slip about a year.
