The Board approved a new 2026 pay structure with five field job classifications and step-based scales, adding about $97,800 to the budget and targeting roughly a 10% increase for field staff. A reverse auction land acquisition program was authorized, with staff to finalize terms, and a $498,000 contract was awarded to GEI Consultants for a canal capacity study using LIDAR and field work.
The Board approved 7 new surface water service applications while wait-listing 12 others pending a canal capacity study, and denied two requests to exit the water service system. Directors authorized up to $200,000 in additional funding for a measurement weir project to address issues with an old sand trap structure discovered during construction. The district is also moving forward with acquiring 100 acres for recharge basins using reserve funds and plans to implement a reverse auction process for competitive property purchases.
The board advanced water allocation discussions with six of seven groundwater sustainability agencies while one remains uncommitted until 2030. Over 20 surface water access applications will be reviewed at the upcoming Board of Equalization meeting, with a comprehensive canal capacity study being solicited to inform decisions. The district received legal approval to proceed with a reverse auction process for acquiring up to 100 acres of recharge basin property, focusing on sandy soils near...
The board postponed new surface water application reviews until November pending completion of a canal capacity study, with 21 applications currently waiting. Progress continues on groundwater basin coordination with preliminary allocation numbers showing 1.65 acre-feet per acre of native safe yield. A $501,558 contract was approved for construction of a second 50-acre recharge basin to expand groundwater replenishment capacity.
The irrigation district's Proposition 218 rate increase passed with strong voter support to fund SGMA compliance and infrastructure expansion. Water deliveries continue through mid-August while the district moves forward with an aggressive recharge basin construction program.
