Water Year 2027 allocations remain unchanged, and the Greater Kaweah board approved unchanged tier penalty rates of $250/$250/$500 per acre-foot. It authorized staff to negotiate and purchase supplemental water, capped at $10 million from penalty revenue; program details remain in development. After a public hearing, it authorized staff to record certificates of lien for delinquent tier penalties. Staff reported about $1.5 million in recent payments.
Staff reported the board is exploring replacing tiered overdraft allocations with purchased supplemental water from ditch companies. About $9M in penalties remain outstanding (about $900K liened), and staff discussed possibly shifting future bills to property tax rolls. The board discussed tier pricing and the penalty rate; staff said these may need action next month for an Oct. 1 effective date.
WY 2027 allocations were discussed as likely staying the same (1.37 AF/acre sustainable yield plus precipitation; Tier 1 at 0.31 and Tier 2 at 0.23 AF/acre). Tiered-water pricing was discussed but not agendized for action. The board ratified a 1,043 AF Class 1 water purchase (~$566.50/AF; just under $600K); staff discussed returning with options on recharge/exchange.
The board approved moving forward with liens for delinquent WY2024 tier penalties/invoices (about $1.2M outstanding). Tom Harder reviewed a timeline to set subsidence management areas by fall 2026, with priority maps planned for the June 22 stakeholder meeting. Staff is developing a five-year budget strategy as tiered-water revenue declines.
The board approved lowering the Tulare and Kings county land-based assessment from $10 per acre to $6. Staff reported that 2026 is shaping up to be the driest enforcement year, driving discussions with surface water agencies over credit policies to prevent excessive groundwater pumping, no policy has been adopted. A framework for regional land subsidence management zones was presented, with the board directing staff to develop a timeline and gather public input before decisions are made.
