1. Draft 2027 Budget: Water Costs Remain High The 2026 State Water Project allocation is 45%; the draft budget assumes a 100% allocation for 2027 for planning purposes. A director noted an estimate of about $1,348 per acre for roughly 2 acre-feet of water; at 3 acre-feet per acre, the estimate approaches $2,000 per acre. The director also noted that about 82% of budgeted costs are largely outside district control, leaving roughly 18% that the district can influence. Comparable 2026 and 2027 per-acre costs would be roughly the same if calculated using the same water-volume assumption. Staff proposed covering about $793,000 in potential department costs with reserves rather than collecting those costs from landowners upfront. The budget is expected to return for board consideration in November, and staff invited questions and comments before then.
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