1. Model Calibration Cost Share Remains Unresolved — Committee Gives Representative Flexibility to Negotiate The biggest discussion of the meeting centered on how the seven GSA groups in the Delta-Mendota Subbasin will split the estimated $600,000 cost of calibrating the subbasin groundwater model. The Northern group's strong preference remains an equal 1/7 split (each group pays ~$85,700), but Farmers Water District and Fresno County have been pushing for a modified cost share based on older percentages from a 2023 Special Activities Agreement — which would increase the Northern group's share by roughly $14,400. Because the JPA requires unanimous approval from all seven groups on budget items, any group effectively holds veto power, and disagreement has contributed to delays in reaching agreement earlier this year. The committee directed its representative, Vince Lucchesi, to open with the 1/7 position and provided negotiating flexibility to consider the modified cost share (Option 2) preferably paired with eliminating the phased approach (doing the calibration in one go to reduce costs) and a stated Northern expectation/caveat that cost-share modifications should not be revisited in the future.
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