Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—on the road, on your tractor, or at home.
The board approved a reduced $944,952 budget through June 2026 focused on minimum SGMA compliance while acknowledging the need to develop long‑term funding. Staff reviewed the SGMA timeline, noting the basin is roughly 30% of the way through the implementation period and that state intervention could cost about $1.7M per year. Directors discussed, but did not decide on, possible board expansion and a stakeholder advisory body.
A special board meeting scheduled for December 9th will address the annual audit report and a water purchase program amendment with extended pricing terms. The agency is approaching a future go or no-go decision point on the Sites Reservoir project as it moves toward a construction phase, with staff preparing necessary administrative records. Organizational changes include bringing an IT/cybersecurity director role in-house and adjusting the salary chart for new and updated positions.
The board discussed a request to split a shared board seat into two separate seats and asked legal counsel to bring back a possible amendment and process for member review. Directors revisited reimbursement of initial seed money contributions (roughly $750,000–$1 million total) from 2017–2019, acknowledging it must be considered in future long‑term funding talks but without a timeline. Progress was reported on creating a local program manager position, with Colusa County as the preferred ...
Board postponed eminent domain proceedings against school district properties needed for the Coyote Creek flood project. Staff presented a plan to address a $569 million capital budget shortfall across watershed and flood protection projects, recommending delays and rescoping of major initiatives. Board also approved substantial increases to well permitting fees, raising rates from $410-500 to $885/well to achieve full cost recovery and generate $400,000/year additional revenue.
The Board initiated the Proposition 218 process for Division 9 pressurization rates (2026-2030), shifting allocation so about 80% of collections fund maintenance and 20% build capital reserves projected near $850,000. A five‑year capital plan of about $185.5M was approved, led by the $70M Canyon Tunnel. The 2026 budget uses roughly $24.2M of reserves for capital, and Chinook salmon passage was the third‑highest since 2003.
