Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—at home, on the road, or on your tractor.
Proud Partners of
The board adopted a 2027 allocation policy basing native yield on assessed acreage, with historical use relevant to transitional-yield eligibility. It also approved a recharge policy and an EKI contract modification discussed at $235,000–$330,000; directors discussed considering grants individually. State Water Board staff requested follow-up meetings every six to eight weeks.
Colorado River supply for 2027–2028 remains uncertain amid litigation filed by Nevada and Arizona. Staff identified taking California’s entire proposed 440,000 acre-foot reduction as one option while talks on sharing it continue. Staff aims to seek approval of any negotiated agreements in December, but there is no firm deadline. Board members urged durable approaches, citing storage, agricultural land and potential interstate exchanges.
Staff outlined agrivoltaics’ potential water benefits and challenges for alfalfa and site economics. The chair said a collaborative funded with a little over $8 million reconsidered past decisions at a public meeting and reapproved 10 grants. In public comment, a company representative reported 13–15% higher alfalfa yield and quality in a Palo Verde soil pilot; water savings remain unquantified. The committee approved its August 25 minutes.
Turlock Irrigation District priced a $109 million bond refunding expected to save $740,000–$750,000 annually. Draft 2027 operations and maintenance spending rises 2.1%. A previously approved 5% rate increase is scheduled for 2027; the current outlook projects no further base-rate increases through 2031, though power supply adjustments could raise bills. Water Year 2026 runoff was 75.5% of average, and staff cautioned that El Niño does not guarantee a wet year.
Directors praised staff as the irrigation season ended. Through September, operating revenues exceeded the year-to-date budget by $3.5 million, aided by water sales and a solar tax credit. District leaders disputed a resident’s prediction of a years-long Woodward Reservoir closure; access remains restricted during the transition. The board heard an incentive-pay grievance seeking retroactive back pay without deciding it and deferred a lockout/tagout policy revision until November 10.
