The agency continues managing tight cash flow through a 7.5% line of credit while awaiting biannual property tax revenues. Staff face pressure to complete substantial grant-funded projects before hard deadlines at the end of March, with concerns about spending capacity. The regulatory fee billing process was streamlined as the county handles most collections, keeping direct billing to just 126 water systems rather than the expected larger number.
The Salinas Valley Basin GSA/Arroyo Seco GSA Coordination Committee approved the April 2, 2025, minutes and quarterly meetings starting in March 2026. Staff discussed improving advance consultation through changes to the coordination agreement. The demand management framework is guidance only, with no automatic measures; the Salinas Valley Basin GSA board is expected to receive it for information in October. The annual report is due April 1, and the five-year groundwater plan evaluation is due January 2027.
At its September 26 special meeting, the Forebay Committee kept October 27 on its calendar, approved proposed 2026 joint meeting dates, and nominated Alan Panziera to the Advisory Committee. Upper Valley lacked a quorum and took no action. Staff outlined a draft demand management framework that would not itself activate measures. Cost allocation, funding, and the framework’s relationship to the SMC TAC remain open questions.
ERA Economics and staff previewed key components of a draft demand management framework: 10 proposed measures and five groundwater-condition stages. Staff plans an informational board review in October and to seek approval in November. The framework does not activate restrictions; Langley’s water efficiency pilot is already operating. Implementation and enforcement details remain to be developed. The committee appointed Ryan Kelly to the Advisory Committee.
After Mark Kennedy withdrew, the Monterey Committee voted to forward Robert Long’s Advisory Committee nomination to the Board. Staff previewed a draft demand management framework with 10 possible measures for Board discussion in October and possible approval in November. The draft itself would impose no pumping rules. Proposed triggers focus on the El Toro Primary Aquifer System; the approach elsewhere in Corral de Tierra, specific measures and funding require further decisions.
