Water season may end late July; directors discussed running storage out vs. carrying it over, with a preference voiced to run it out. A ~$10 per-acre assessment increase was floated to fund faster recharge expansion; the 2027 budget public hearing was continued to July 22. Groundwater fell ~2.1 ft last year; El Niño was mentioned as a factor adding urgency to recharge planning.
The board discussed but did not adopt a 2027 budget, reviewing two options near $14M; a decision is deferred to July 8. No 2027 rate increase was approved, though $5–$10/acre was discussed as a possible future increase. Reverse auction contract language about eminent domain/1033 was discussed; staff plans to bring clarified notice language to the July 8 meeting.
Groundwater depth averaged about one foot lower year-over-year, and Kings River runoff is 52% of average. The board discussed July rate-setting tied to the budget and recharge-basin buildout pace. GEI's canal capacity study should have initial data by July, and land acquisition/project work continues.
Surface water supplies are projected to last only through about the first week of July, with roughly 120,000 acre-feet of usable supply remaining at current delivery rates (~2,000 AF/day). The board approved Resolution 2026-01, preserving the option for tax-exempt bond financing and reimbursement of capital expenditures. Board members also discussed preparing a second reverse auction for recharge basin land acquisition, potentially launching this summer.
Kings River April–July runoff forecast fell to 43%, reducing CID's expected run from ~90 to ~60 days; the Board directed a May 4 start. SWRCB actions in Tule/Tulare Lake subbasins (on probation) exempt pumpers under 20 acre-feet from state fees, though registration and reporting are still required. CID's GSP remains under DWR review with no comments received; the annual report was submitted and accepted.
