Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—on the road, on your tractor, or at home.
The Board approved a settlement agreement in a canal litigation matter in closed session. Strong groundwater extraction fee collections were reported at 96.5%, though transitional water fees showed lower collection rates at 77.8%. A revised tentative budget for the remainder of fiscal year 2025-2026 was approved to meet current operational needs.
The Basin Safe data migration is delayed due to complications converting water types and field identifiers, temporarily preventing growers from viewing groundwater pumping history. The draft water budget shows the district averaging a net increase of 6,400 acre-feet per year when only in-GSA recharge and pumping are compared, while including subsurface flows shows an average storage decline of 2,200 acre-feet per year. Staff will meet with State Water Board members in February to discuss ...
The Board advanced Phase 1 of the DMC Subsidence Correction Project, authorizing $200,000 for pre-construction services with Kiewit and a $4.1 million advanced funding agreement with Westlands Water District. Water Year 2026 OM&R rates were approved for 25% and 50% allocation scenarios, with collections starting at the 25% rate. Jones Pumping Plant exports are currently around 1,900 CFS to help meet February X2 requirements.
The Budget & Finance Committee received financial reports and provided feedback on draft fiscal year 2027 budget assumptions, including a proposal to collect some uncertain future project costs through valley-wide Tier 1 fees that could later be reconciled with Tier 2 fees. With major state grants winding down, previously grant-funded activities may shift to fee-based funding. The committee also reviewed demand management incentive programs recommended for Board consideration.
The Joint Powers Authority held its inaugural meeting, following execution of the JPA by all GSAs. The board approved a $1.6 million budget with an initial assessment of $76,621 per contributing member and authorized key consultant contracts for program management, GSP implementation, and data management. Optional subsidence modeling and basin-wide monitoring tasks will require future board action.
