The board took no position on Proposition 45. It deferred the climate adaptation Administrative Code amendment to January 2027. The board approved a $42.7M contract for Colorado River Aqueduct pumping plant piping rehab and a $172.8M Sepulveda Pump Stations Phase 2B agreement increase.
Staff reported post-2026 Colorado River guidelines set California at 3.96 million acre-feet (down 440,000) if an implementing agreement is executed, and that Lake Mead elevations could trigger consultation and potential limits on access to stored water in 2028. Staff said the draft Sites water-right permit includes a 55% unimpaired bypass flow; a revised draft is expected Sept. 3 and a final permit is targeted for early November.
The board approved the ad valorem property tax rate for fiscal year 2026/27 at 0.0085% and authorized a $29.214 million Phase 1 design-build agreement for Lake Mathews upgrades. GM Deshmukh said he will meet with Imperial Irrigation District this week to resume Colorado River reduction talks and work toward a California shortage-sharing agreement for board consideration this fall.
Staff noted record-low Lake Mead and Lake Powell levels and briefed Reclamation's FEIS preferred post-2026 adaptive framework (2027–2036), with the ROD and 2027–2028 guidelines not yet signed. Staff briefed proposed COA amendments for IRWD's bank; board action is expected in September. Bay-Delta principles were reviewed; directors urged a clearer strategy.
Final post-2026 Colorado River final environmental impact statement is expected this week; staff said Metropolitan does not anticipate near-term delivery cuts. State-specific reductions will be determined through subsequent steps, agreements, and discussions with California partners later this year, with completion needed by fall. Separately, the executive performance review process is being refined, with monthly updates through year-end.
