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 continued the October 7 El Niño emergency action to prepare for possible winter impacts and awarded Gordon N. Ball a $125.6 million Coyote Creek flood-protection contract, with Phase 2 expected to finish in 2028. Staff reported no major shifts in water-supply or demand conditions and recommended continuing the Water Supply Master Plan’s lower-cost strategy.
Metropolitan maintained strong bond ratings amid climate, infrastructure and Colorado River challenges. The chair reported golden mussel impacts at Banks pump station and said a demonstration is planned. The Executive Committee recommended a department head pay policy targeting the 75th percentile of nine peer agencies for Board consideration on November 10; it was not adopted. The committee also advanced Brenda Denstadt's Board Secretary nomination, with nominations still open.
The board adopted a 2027 allocation policy basing native yield on assessed acreage, with historical use relevant to transitional-yield eligibility. It also approved a recharge policy and an EKI contract modification discussed at $235,000–$330,000; directors discussed considering grants individually. State Water Board staff requested follow-up meetings every six to eight weeks.
Colorado River supply for 2027–2028 remains uncertain amid litigation filed by Nevada and Arizona. Staff identified taking California’s entire proposed 440,000 acre-foot reduction as one option while talks on sharing it continue. Staff aims to seek approval of any negotiated agreements in December, but there is no firm deadline. Board members urged durable approaches, citing storage, agricultural land and potential interstate exchanges.
Turlock Irrigation District priced a $109 million bond refunding expected to save $740,000–$750,000 annually. Draft 2027 operations and maintenance spending rises 2.1%. A previously approved 5% rate increase is scheduled for 2027; the current outlook projects no further base-rate increases through 2031, though power supply adjustments could raise bills. Water Year 2026 runoff was 75.5% of average, and staff cautioned that El Niño does not guarantee a wet year.
