Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—on the road, on your tractor, or at home.
The board reviewed a $35.6 million capital budget for transmission and distribution infrastructure improvements, representing a $7.4 million increase driven by growth in several service areas and critical equipment needs. Staff reported continued material cost inflation of 20-40% annually with supply chain challenges creating 3-5 year lead times for major equipment. The district is also moving forward with regulating reservoir projects that could save up to 30,000 acre-feet of water annually once completed.
The board unanimously approved the final 2025 groundwater sustainability plan, which will be submitted to the state ahead of a critical September hearing that will determine whether the region faces state intervention. An ad hoc committee is developing a fee structure for non-districted landowners, particularly focusing on "white lands" not covered by existing water districts. Meanwhile, the state is ramping up enforcement of groundwater management implementation, now requiring more detailed explanations from agencies that appear off track in meeting their sustainability goals.
The district is no longer pursuing its collaborative groundwater management approach after three partner agencies were not interested to participate in cost-sharing for domestic well mitigation, opting instead for an individual proximity-based program (each district responsible for wells in their district) estimated at $1.5 million. Despite challenging dry conditions, the district successfully delivered nearly 150,000 acre-feet this water season, which staff characterized as surprisingly "average." Board members expressed growing frustration over groundwater overdraft issues, particularly as they see other agencies also contributing to the problem have not stepped up to the standard MID expects, while wells continue to fail.
A groundwater sustainability agency faces a severe financial crisis with only $84,000 remaining in its bank account, prompting board approval to request an advance on property tax collections from the county. Meanwhile, staff presented detailed plans for a domestic well mitigation program to address wells going dry due to declining groundwater levels, requiring new funding mechanisms beyond current assessments. The agency is also finalizing critical allocation and subsidence management plans, with hopes to present the allocation plan by October that will project water requirements through 2040.
The Colorado River system remains in crisis with Lake Mead projected at 31% capacity, triggering another Tier 1 shortage for 2025 and creating pressure for basin states to reach agreement by November 11 on post-2026 operations. The board approved approximately $90 million in conservation program funding, with staff reporting 99% completion of field analysis and over 70% farmer participation in water-saving efforts. Board members also discussed restructuring their meeting format to separate formal business sessions from strategic work sessions, allowing all directors to participate in policy discussions rather than limiting participation through committee structures.
