The Board approved a $7.5M FLOW infrastructure grant program for local public agencies with a 50-50 cost share and water/ag nexus; applications likely roll out in April 2026. Staff reported inflow projections down nearly 3M acre-feet since November and Lake Mead near 1,056 ft. The Forbearance Agreement amendment was approved.
The Board approved a two-year water conservation program cycle to improve planning certainty for farmers. The district reported achieving a record-breaking 700,000 acre feet of water conservation in 2025, contributing significantly to Lake Mead's recovery. The 2024 on-farm conservation program was completed with final payments now being issued.
The Board voted to withdraw from the Salton Sea Authority and refocus efforts on the Salton Sea Conservancy for managing habitat restoration and air quality projects. Water conservation programs are performing strongly, though the 2026 fallowing program may be cut in half without additional federal funding, with staff estimating these efforts could add 2–3 feet to Lake Mead's elevation if fully funded.
The Board approved major substation projects in the Coachella Valley, using innovative funding partnerships with cities, counties, and developers who will reserve capacity for 20 years. The district maintained its AA- bond rating, securing favorable financing terms at 3.84% interest on about $107 million in bonds. New infrastructure models provide flexibility to the development community while addressing rising electrical capacity demands in the region.
The board approved $100 million in electric refunding revenue bonds to finance system improvements while saving ratepayers $312,000 annually, and authorized a $10 million transmission line upgrade to enhance export capacity. Significant concerns were raised about mobile home park residents facing doubled or tripled electricity bills due to billing transparency issues and inability to access rate assistance programs.
