At the October 26 joint meeting, the committees reviewed Water Year 2027 Tier 1 and Tier 2 rates of $250 per acre-foot; Tier 3 remains $500. Allocations remain 0.31 and 0.23 acre-feet per acre. The Board directed staff to pursue water credits to offset this year’s tiered use ahead of a planned Water Year 2028 supplemental-water transition. Critical-head findings at 13 western-area sites prompted further subsidence study.
Water Year 2027 allocations remain unchanged, and the Greater Kaweah board approved unchanged tier penalty rates of $250/$250/$500 per acre-foot. It authorized staff to negotiate and purchase supplemental water, capped at $10 million from penalty revenue; program details remain in development. After a public hearing, it authorized staff to record certificates of lien for delinquent tier penalties. Staff reported about $1.5 million in recent payments.
Staff reported the board is exploring replacing tiered overdraft allocations with purchased supplemental water from ditch companies. About $9M in penalties remain outstanding (about $900K liened), and staff discussed possibly shifting future bills to property tax rolls. The board discussed tier pricing and the penalty rate; staff said these may need action next month for an Oct. 1 effective date.
WY 2027 allocations were discussed as likely staying the same (1.37 AF/acre sustainable yield plus precipitation; Tier 1 at 0.31 and Tier 2 at 0.23 AF/acre). Tiered-water pricing was discussed but not agendized for action. The board ratified a 1,043 AF Class 1 water purchase (~$566.50/AF; just under $600K); staff discussed returning with options on recharge/exchange.
The board approved moving forward with liens for delinquent WY2024 tier penalties/invoices (about $1.2M outstanding). Tom Harder reviewed a timeline to set subsidence management areas by fall 2026, with priority maps planned for the June 22 stakeholder meeting. Staff is developing a five-year budget strategy as tiered-water revenue declines.
