Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—on the road, on your tractor, or at home.
The District is continuing to pursue grant funding for smart water meters that could in the future let customers monitor usage and receive automatic leak alerts online. Current meters already flag 24-hour continuous flow for proactive customer notification, helping identify issues such as an estimated 600-gallon leak at an unoccupied facility. Public outreach showed strong engagement, including 26,000 views on a New Year's message and a new theater conservation ad.
The district's mid-year financial report showed strong performance with $3.7 million in net revenue and a significant 106% increase in capital improvement spending, with 61% of the CIP budget now spent or encumbered. Water and sewer sales are on target at 53% of budget, while development activity is 21% below prior year but expected to pick up as projects like Marina Station and other planned connections move forward.
The Executive Committee reviewed a low-income Customer Assistance Program that would provide $250 annual credits to eligible customers, administered by Dollar Energy Fund for an 8.75% fee plus $10 per application. The program requires accounts to remain current, with grants paused when accounts become delinquent and customers removed at 90 days. Staff anticipate seeking board approval in March or April 2026.
Committee approved a three-year allocation support contract with Davids Engineering for $927,000, providing rate stability for growers. New state subsidence guidance creates uncertainty by potentially requiring immediate action rather than the 2040 deadline, prompting concerns about 'moving the goalposts.' The Domestic Well Mitigation Program is now operational, accepting applications with streamlined processes and up to $35,000 in funding per project.
A groundwater allocation policy became active January 1, 2026, setting a 28,000 acre-feet annual limit split between sustainable and transitional yield. About 23,000 acres were classified as irrigated using DWR/Land IQ data and grower surveys. The district will read meters and bill for 2025 use and future pumping, and landowners are asked to review allocation packets and submit corrections.
