The Advisory Committee elected Curtis Weeks chair and a vice chair, approved the April 2025 minutes and its 2026 meeting schedule, and discussed its valley-wide advisory role. Staff outlined groundwater concerns and studies to inform the board’s planned fall 2026 project selection ahead of five-year evaluations due to the state in January 2027. Members requested more local data and questioned whether bimonthly meetings would suffice; a January special meeting is being planned.
The auditor reported a clean opinion on the FY 2025 financial statements. Net position grew from about $1.0 million to $1.3 million, and program revenue rose from $7.2 million to $9.5 million. As of October 31, cash stood at $118,000; staff expected tax and fee receipts in December. With most grants winding down, staff expects FY 2027 operations to rely primarily on regulatory fee revenue.
The board approved a valley-wide demand management framework despite opposition, establishing potential water use restrictions across all areas rather than just overdrafted zones. New integrated hydrologic modeling revealed that previously stable groundwater sub-basins are actually experiencing slow declines, requiring attention in upcoming evaluations. Most critically, seawater intrusion spanning 11 miles requires massive intervention beyond simple water budget balancing, demanding active ..
At the Forebay committee’s October 27 meeting, staff described the demand management framework as a planning tool, not an immediate pumping restriction. Members praised the Forebay and Upper Valley technical advisory committee but questioned how it would work alongside the framework. They also warned that restrictions farther north could shift production and pumping south. Staff said its economic analysis will assess potential shifts and regional impacts.
The board discussed a demand management framework that provides a foundation for potential future water use restrictions but doesn't activate any programs immediately, serving as a planning tool requiring extensive additional work. A feasibility study for using excess Salinas River flows revealed major obstacles including limited seasonal availability, expensive storage needs, and complex permitting taking 4-6 years. Additionally, an updated seawater intrusion model was approved...
