The board unanimously approved the hiring of Ellen Viera as the new General Manager, with a start date discussed as the 27th near the start of the irrigation water run. The Board added an emergency agenda item for a ditch tender. Additionally, the board approved an interim leave policy (Resolution 2026-03) establishing 40 hours of sick leave and 96 hours of vacation accrual annually.
The coordinated Kings River irrigation run is planned to start May 15 for ~75 days; April 1 supply was mid-40%. People's Ditch start timing was discussed as potentially end-of-May/early-June, with Last Chance typically starting about a week later. GM search continues, with full-board interviews planned for May 15. The Apex Water Bank was described as state-recognized. The interim management subcommittee recommended the Apex Ranch lessee pay a ~$20,000 GEARs bill.
Due to unusual conditions—full storage but a below-average runoff forecast—staff outlined a possible split run: 2–3 weeks in April on limited systems, then potentially off most of May, then a late May/June restart into July. The Board approved operating Apex recovery wells during the restart, estimated ~4,200 acre-feet over ~60 days. Staff are also preparing groundwater pumping reports due before the May 1 State Board deadline for certain district wells.
