Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—at home, on the road, or on your tractor.
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Pilot recharge studies south of Chico confirmed excellent infiltration rates, with three recharge concepts outlined for potential advancement. Staff reviewed the GSP Periodic Evaluation schedule due January 2027, with groundwater levels and sustainable yield starting in June and continuing into July, and other topics into July/August.
The board approved the 2026–2027 budget, setting irrigated assessments at $6.25/acre (down from ~$16.50 last year) and non-irrigated at $0.08/acre, with lower assessments aided by cash on hand/carryover (including unused contingency). Growers criticized PrAGA Prop 26 billing for charging removed vineyards with credits but no refunds. The Fallow Land Registry was discussed as a potential centralized reporting tool; the website showed 1,787 in the registry as of the meeting date.
5,000 AF borrowed from DEID to delay a prorate through summer; September/October could get shaky. Bureau is expected to keep Friant Class 1 at 100%, but the 650,000 AF Edison April–July threshold could raise late-season risk. Spring monitoring found nitrate exceedances and TCP at Delano Well 30; Tulare Groundwater's nitrate review was non-conclusive, suggesting no clear SGMA link and no district mitigation expected based on current findings.
The board unanimously adopted the FY 2026-27 budget using conservative grant assumptions, removing unsecured state grants and reducing federal grant projections. An updated ADU ordinance was approved, tiering capacity fees by unit size. Under AB 2561, vacancy/turnover data was reviewed, while employees and SEIU cited compensation and workplace culture concerns, including being about 16% behind comparable agencies.
Groundwater monitoring found two southern basin wells below minimum thresholds in fall 2024, with eight more declining in the operational range. Basin storage fell 84,000 acre-feet (0.2%). The Authority is developing a groundwater accounting framework with GSA cluster meetings underway to compile surface water and pumping data.
