The Agricultural Commissioner outlined how the County responds to abandoned or neglected vineyards, including an AB 732 penalty option. Supervisors discussed red blotch concerns and possible hardship-focused support. The Board held its TRUTH Act forum reviewing 2025 data and noting 2026 year-to-date trends, along with policy updates, then continued the forum to Sept. 29 at 6:00 PM.
GSA staff reported groundwater fee rates were reduced about 55% after the GSA allocated $750,000 from fund balance and approved the revised levy roll on Aug. 11 for placement on property tax bills. Staff said the Periodic Evaluation draft is planned around Oct. 19 for comment, with final action tentatively Dec. 8. Staff discussed tentative interim refinements to evaluate streamflow depletion as May–July percentage depletion.
No groundwater business was conducted despite the GSA convening simultaneously with the Board. The Board introduced (intent to adopt) temporary event ordinance changes and approved a revised Temporary Events Manual, modernizing the process without expanding what qualifies as a temporary event; fee topics were deferred to September. The Board also adopted an updated left-turn lane screening resolution replacing an outdated methodology with a clearer, more defensible process.
Groundwater sustainability fees were approved for FY 2026-27 at roughly 55% below maximum rates; the agricultural combined rate is $44.44 per groundwater-irrigated acre. Growers who missed alternative-water or dry-farming deadlines can apply again next year, but documentation will tighten. Board members discussed well metering as a possible long-term path toward usage-based fees.
Residents near the proposed Phase 3 flood wall raised concerns during general public comment about safety, river access, and quality of life, and requested a dedicated neighborhood meeting as the project nears a reported 35% design milestone. Directors Alessio, Gallagher, and Manfree voiced support for stakeholder outreach and discussed considering newer approaches and design elements, noting the original plans are over 20 years old.
