1. Phase 2 Engineer's Report Adopted — Proposition 218 Hearing Set for June 15, 2026 at 6 PM The Board unanimously adopted the final Engineer's Report for the Phase 2 Funding Mechanism, which establishes a maximum annual charge of $15.11 per acre on all parcels receiving a groundwater allocation (approximately 186,315 acres). This fee would fund three categories: GSA administration/staffing ($1.25M max), monitoring and technical studies ($840K max), and the domestic well mitigation program ($725K max). Critically, the Board has historically charged well below the maximum rate — sometimes as low as 25% — and will set the actual rate annually based on need. The fee itself is not yet imposed; it is subject to the upcoming Prop 218 process. Notices will be mailed to all eligible parcel owners with a 45-day comment period. Written objections under AB 2257 must be received by June 1, 2026; written protests under Prop 218 must be submitted before the June 15 hearing. Two public commenters raised concerns about the flat per-acre fee structure, arguing it does not account for differences between opted-in and irrigated parcel allocations or zone-specific conditions (e.g., zones with no dry wells paying into the well mitigation fund). The GSA's legal counsel stated these concerns were anticipated and would be addressed in written responses posted to the website.
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