Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—on the road, on your tractor, or at home.
The Budget & Finance Committee received financial reports and provided feedback on draft fiscal year 2027 budget assumptions, including a proposal to collect some uncertain future project costs through valley-wide Tier 1 fees that could later be reconciled with Tier 2 fees. With major state grants winding down, previously grant-funded activities may shift to fee-based funding. The committee also reviewed demand management incentive programs recommended for Board consideration.
The Joint Powers Authority held its inaugural meeting, following execution of the JPA by all GSAs. The board approved a $1.6 million budget with an initial assessment of $76,621 per contributing member and authorized key consultant contracts for program management, GSP implementation, and data management. Optional subsidence modeling and basin-wide monitoring tasks will require future board action.
The board received an update that the Delta Conveyance Project water rights hearings are entering the rebuttal phase, with plans to cross-examine DWR on modeling related to 1981 North Delta contract salinity criteria. The Delta Watermaster reported that, under SB88 regulations, large diverters may need mechanical measuring devices by water year 2027 even if using OpenET. An appeal hearing is set for February 26–27 on DWR's Delta Plan consistency certification.
The District is continuing to pursue grant funding for smart water meters that could in the future let customers monitor usage and receive automatic leak alerts online. Current meters already flag 24-hour continuous flow for proactive customer notification, helping identify issues such as an estimated 600-gallon leak at an unoccupied facility. Public outreach showed strong engagement, including 26,000 views on a New Year's message and a new theater conservation ad.
The district's mid-year financial report showed strong performance with $3.7 million in net revenue and a significant 106% increase in capital improvement spending, with 61% of the CIP budget now spent or encumbered. Water and sewer sales are on target at 53% of budget, while development activity is 21% below prior year but expected to pick up as projects like Marina Station and other planned connections move forward.
