The District has over-collected approximately $1.5 million in groundwater management fees over the past five years because actual compliance costs came in well below projections. Staff projects roughly $1.3 million in costs over the next five-year period, and with the existing surplus, only about $250,000 in new collections is needed—translating to approximately $0.60 per acre per year (staff projection), down from the current $6.39/acre. A formal public hearing on the new fee is planned next month. Growers should attend or submit comments if they want input on the final fee structure.
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