Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—at home, on the road, or on your tractor.
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A demand management framework is being developed using historical recharge trends, though pumping reductions remain decades away unless long-term basin recovery fails. The Groundwater Sustainability Plan update is due January 2027, with public hearings expected this summer. Separately, a brackish water desalination project addressing seawater intrusion carries an estimated $1.4 million price tag, with unresolved technical questions and a board recommendation pending.
The Board set the time and place for a July 14 public hearing to consider proposed Safe, Clean Water Program modifications for Projects E5 and F6, including a proposed San Francisquito Creek KPI rewrite that drew significant debate and a proposed expansion of public art grant eligibility countywide. The Board also approved $1,776,760 in FY2026 standard grants to four organizations for water and environmental projects.
The board discussed needing a demand management framework in place by the start of 2027 and emphasized grower outreach before harvest season. Members discussed possible funding options—including extraction fees, wellhead fees, and per-household fees—and asked staff to coordinate outreach materials with David's Engineering. The board also reached consensus to seek a Prop 4 grant-writing proposal from David's Engineering, with formal approval expected next month.
The board adopted the 2025 Urban Water Management Plan, projecting sufficient supplies in normal years through 2050 but potential shortfalls up to 26% in dry-year scenarios. Demand is projected to rise about 86% by 2050, and SSJID is urging cities to consider accelerating Phase Two as early as 2032, though no city has committed. Uncertainty remains around SGMA and Bay-Delta Plan amendment implementation.
FY 2026-27 GSA budget adopted with an estimated 50–60% fee reduction by drawing down fund balance rather than charging full program cost. Supervisors supported moving toward use-based/metered fees, with policy items expected late July/early August. Staff said reduced fees aren't sustainable long-term; Ramos requested fund balance targets and exploring multi-year averaging for predictability.
