Stay on top of SGMA

The board received the WMA GSP Five-Year Evaluation public draft, found conditions sustainable, and approved proceeding without a concurrent GSP amendment. A ~$207,366 contract was awarded to Greg Drilling for a 600-foot monitoring well, with $118,500 descoped from EKI and remaining costs addressed through grant and budget options. The ag voting-seat JPA amendment was discussed after the Water Conservation District declined it over cost-share language.

The board directed staff to add an opt-in seller list and revise the exchange policy to allow prior-year trades through mid-February, and to agendize a penalty fee tier review. The board voted to defer a carryover policy until adjudication is implemented. Staff reported four wells below minimum thresholds and one in a warning zone, and the board gave consensus direction to begin adaptive management follow-up.

The board approved a ~$22.8M Expansion Project construction award to W.M. Lyles Co. (Option C) and adopted Resolution 26-06 authorizing execution of financing documents for a 2026 Master Installment Purchase Agreement issued by MAGSA to Holman Capital. Staff said WaterSMART meter/telemetry rebate paperwork is due in ~3 weeks; after that, enforcement may begin.

The board voted yes on a Mid-Kings Prop 218 assessment ballot expected to cost about $9,000/year and approved the FY 2026-27 budget, including $1,005,000 for water purchases and $24,000 in capital outlay. Staff also presented a Greater Kaweah GSA concept to buy district conveyance losses as a supplemental water alternative to Tier 1/Tier 2.

The committee approved repurposing EKI Task 4 funds to review GSP public comment letters and develop a recommendations matrix. It approved an operating reserve policy at 20% of the annual operating budget, with surplus typically credited forward and flexibility by vote. The committee discussed a case-by-case grant approach; project forms are due Sept. 30, 2026.