The Finance and Administration Committee recommended FY 2026-27 groundwater monitoring fees for non-de minimis wells, while requesting a comparison of broader quality-fee sharing and consideration of a small fee for de minimis owners. Members raised agricultural cost-sharing and duplicate-data concerns. The committee also recommended a grazing-lease amendment, approved the consent calendar and received two financial reports. Billing is expected in early 2027; a one-time grant covered last year’s fees.
The Planning Committee sought clearer outcomes in the draft Strategic Plan; staff aims to return December 2 before Board of Directors consideration on December 21. The Board of Supervisors approved a countywide water-planning forum concept and an ad hoc committee. The GSA board approved Portfolio 3A with caveats; staff reviewed conceptual cost-saving ideas and questioned whether proposed Castroville/Eastside Canal changes are a refinement or a new project.
On November 3, the Board of Supervisors of the Monterey County Water Resources Agency unanimously authorized the General Manager to negotiate and execute Amendment No. 1 to its May 1, 2025, industrial wastewater effluent interim agreement with the City of Salinas and Monterey One Water. The amendment would extend the agreement six months, subject to County Counsel’s approval as to form. No allocations, rates or fees changed. A litigation consultation was scheduled for closed session.
Staff reported a record 8,024 acre-feet diverted at the Salinas River Diversion Facility and a goal of keeping supplemental-well use below 10% on an annual average. The committee approved its July 30 minutes and recommended continuing the Interim Operations Plan with an 80 CFS steelhead passage target. A consultant reviewed differing storage and withdrawal limits for Nacimiento and San Antonio.
The Planning Committee recommended that the Board of Directors seek Board of Supervisors adoption of a regional water planning forum concept and creation of an ad hoc committee. Staff expects a draft 2026 Strategic Plan for review in November. Amid discussion of a possible super El Niño, the Agency plans to request about $107,000 on October 13 for monitoring-station replacements, portable debris-flow monitors and communications upgrades.
