Staff reviewed updated pumping projections about 20% lower than in the GSP. A Director raised agricultural-representation concerns regarding the physical solution; counsel said the recusal applies until the Board approves an agreement. Counsel noted the Oct. 26 trial date and said a potential judgment could trigger ~90-day deadlines for budgeting and TAC-related setup. The Board approved a 45-day public comment period for the draft GSP Periodic Evaluation starting September 11.
The board approved Rincon Consultants' Work Order No. 14 for field monitoring services for Water Year 2026/2027 at a total authorization of $240,691, potentially drawing $15,691 beyond the $225,000 budgeted amount from the agency's contingency funds. Member agency extraction fee invoices for FY 2026/2027 totaled $644,952, while private well invoices for January–June 2026 totaled $15,108 to close out FY 2025/2026.
The board approved a $168/acre-foot groundwater extraction fee for FY 2026/2027 (5-0, 2 absent). The Executive Director's written report noted two wells remain unregistered, each at $49,500 in penalties as of May 31. Agency Counsel Keith Lemieux discussed the Indian Wells Valley adjudication trial and possible use of a technical expert/State Board review.
Modeling found curtailment during critical dry periods sends less than 10% of saved water to Foster Park, with lag times that can exceed a year. The Board approved the FY 2026/2027 budget and set the extraction-fee adoption item for its next regular meeting in June; the proposed rate is $168/AF based on 4,396 AF. Proposition 4 small-GSA grants of approximately $100K–$200K may become available to offset SGMA implementation costs.
Updated modeling shows most minimum-threshold exceedance events are smaller; staff will proceed with detailed analysis of Event 3 and combined Events 6–8. The five-year GSP periodic evaluation is underway; staff proposed deferring any GSP amendment until after a court physical solution. Ordinance No. 5 was adopted.
