1. Assessment Rate Increasing Significantly — Board Approved $165/acre for FY 2026–27 (2027 assessment) The Board debated the annual assessment at length. Staff recommended the maximum allowable rate of about ~$180.33 (up from $140/acre last year), driven by rising operational costs, SGMA implementation expenses, and the need to fund district groundwater recharge credits. After extensive discussion, the Board compromised and unanimously approved a rate of $165/acre — a roughly 18% increase over last year. The Board discussed that lowering the assessment from the maximum would most likely require reducing the groundwater recharge portion of the assessment. The assessment is intended to be collected via the Tulare County property tax roll (per Resolution 2026-7-2 staff report/agenda packet).
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