The Board approved the 2026 budget with no increases to water rates or assessments, maintaining strong reserves while planning for future canal repair costs. The District is aggressively recharging available Class 2 water, including renting pumps at Dresser, to move water before potential allocation changes. Gold mussels in nearby Friant facilities prompted intensified monitoring and review of copper treatment options in coordination with other agencies.
The district is offering free nitrogen and irrigation management consulting to growers in one township through a $1 million USDA grant program. Water quality guidelines successfully protected growers in their second year, with chloride thresholds actively managed and real-time EC monitoring. Golden mussels discovered in the canal system pose an imminent threat to pipeline infrastructure, requiring urgent treatment protocols and regional coordination.
District welcomed a new Operations Manager with existing leadership transitioning to a support role. Board approved purchasing 2,700 acre-feet of water at $450/acre-foot through the MA-2 program using available reserves, with letters sent to growers offering direct purchase opportunities. District expects maximum carryover and receiving an additional 13,000-16,000 acre-feet through transfer agreements—representing approximately 60% above base allocation.
The board approved a 5-year contract for weather forecasting services to improve water management decisions. They also authorized a major pipeline relocation project at Highway 43, for which Caltrans funds over $2 million. Additionally, they approved hiring a replacement for the retiring Operations Manager with a planned 9-10 month overlap period to ensure knowledge transfer of over 4 decades of institutional experience.
The district received a 2024 audit showing strong financials, working to improve bookkeeping practices as auditors made accounting adjustments. Water accounting with the Bureau of Reclamation caused billing confusion, including $750,000 in untracked deliveries, which have now been resolved. The district achieved major cost savings by renegotiating agreement with San Luis Delta-Mendota Water Authority, reducing payment obligations from 40% to 31-33% and reducing unfair project costs.
