Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—at home, on the road, or on your tractor.
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The board approved procurement of long-lead items for the Yucca repowering project (overall estimate ~$247M), replacing a dormant 75-MW unit with 94 MW capacity targeted for June 1, 2030. Three La Quinta-area substation transformer replacement projects totaling roughly $23.5M were also approved. Staff said the water cost-of-service study is due in the coming months, with a 2027 rate update process planned.
Staff discussed preparing for a potential Super El Niño winter and coordinating with emergency agencies. A FEMA-funded Dry Creek barrier project was delayed after a newly listed toad species was identified in the area, and staff are pursuing an emergency permitting path. Staff also presented an FDRE completion report covering four portable pumps and multiple planned deployment and recharge locations.
The board approved extending in-district irrigation deliveries through late October. The district approved transitioning to the ACWA/JPIA pooled health program effective 1/1/2027 after a 53% Sutter rate spike, adding a PPO option. Staff reported ~65% system capacity and ~750,000 AF YTD inflow; pre-1914 out-of-district deliveries have ended. Delta Dental and VSP renewals through Aqua JPIA were approved with no rate increases.
The board adopted Ordinances 82 (Water Shortage Contingency Plan, 4-1) and 83 (water waste enforcement, 5-0), setting penalties at $100/$500/$1,000 for first through third violations and formalizing first-penalty waivers. Staff discussed rate-design software to model conservation-driven rate impacts, and directors discussed challenges funding turf conversion and HOA financial impacts.
Staff and consultants from Davids Engineering and ERA Economics reviewed a net groundwater impact accounting concept and examples of draft informational statements being used in neighboring basins. Members compared recent monitoring data to GSP thresholds and discussed revisiting sustainable management criteria during the periodic evaluation. Potential funding concepts, including grants and groundwater-use-based charges, were discussed.
