Yolo County extended the Focus Areas ag well moratorium through Aug. 25, 2027. The YSGA Board appointed representatives for monthly 2x2 meetings with County Supervisors. The draft 2027 Periodic Evaluation (WY 2019–2024) reported no undesirable results during that period and flagged ~200 wells for follow-up; comments are due Nov. 6. Yolo-Zamora feasibility study options total up to 18,650 AF of potential recharge.
A two-tier groundwater fee was adopted (May 18) and Tier 2 pre-billing corrections are underway for misclassified dry/grazing land. YSGA presented a Hungry Hollow White Paper detailing six voluntary projects with scenarios that could offset the area's modeled groundwater deficit; it is under landowner review. The Board approved a letter to the County on Focus Areas/well verification and coordination on the moratorium.
The board approved a SGMA regulatory fee with a two-tier structure targeting $1.6M annually, effective FY 2027. Dry land farmers and grazing land operators objected, and the board committed to reviewing potential fee adjustments before FY 2028 fees are set. The board also approved the FY 2026-27 budget (estimated ~$2.001M in expenses).
Proposed SGMA fee (Tier 1 for all parcels; Tier 2 for ag acres and domestic users incl. private wells, up to $7.94/acre undistricted ag) goes to a May 18, 2026 public hearing. Winter recharge signed up 4,000+ acres and recharged ~3,600 AF in January. Staff noted WY2025 annual report figures show most indicators green.
The Board voted 18-5 to proceed with a Proposition 26 regulatory fee pathway starting in FY 2026/27, aiming for first collections in late 2026. It directed staff to use a draft two-tier fee concept (Tier 1 at $1.50 per parcel plus $0.76/acre and draft Tier 2 ag rates of $2.78/$7.94 per cropped acre) and a draft $1.6 million annual budget for the next five years as the basis for the upcoming fee study and public outreach.
