The pumping limit policy is now active as of January 1, 2026, with tiered pricing at $35 per acre-foot for usage between 100-125% of allocation and $70 above 125%. The bypass turnout construction project remains on schedule for a February 20th completion with about $1 million in grant funding used to date. Well meter registration achieved around 90-95% compliance, positioning the district well for effective groundwater monitoring.
Board unanimously approved moving forward with a Proposition 218 process to raise the assessment cap from $21.59 to $90 per acre foot, driven largely by SGMA coordination costs that rose from an initial $15,000 estimate to about $230,000. These costs are expected to stay relatively high, and the district still plans for two additional lower aquifer monitoring wells to strengthen its data network.
The district approved an emergency $86,825 fund transfer to address a severe cash flow crisis, with only $117,000 remaining to cover $210,000 in expenses through January. New pumping limits will begin monitoring in January 2026 with automated quarterly alerts to help growers manage their water allocations. Groundwater monitoring shows mixed results with most wells above minimum thresholds, though some areas face concerning trends and continued subsidence rates of 0.15-0.3 feet annually in ...
