Agenda Item Wording:
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Water Management Plan - Consider approval of 2024 Water Management Plan submitted by the Visalia Water Management Committee.
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Deadline for Action: 8/19/2024
Submitting Department: Administration
Contact Name and Phone Number: Jennifer Gomez, Management Analyst, (559) 713-4053
Department Recommendation:
It is the recommendation of staff that City Council approve the 2024 Visalia Water Management Plan.
Background Discussion:
In 2001, the City of Visalia (City) partnered with the Kaweah Delta Water Conservation District (KDWCD) for the purpose of water resources management, supplemental surface purchases, and necessary or opportunistic projects on behalf of the City's benefit. The contract (Contract) is valid for a term of 40 years, at which time both parties have the option to re-negotiate terms.
According to the terms of this agreement, KDWCD will perform these tasks on behalf of the City in exchange for $100,000 annually at the time of the agreement, adjusted annually for inflation. The funds are designated for beneficial purchases and/or projects, when such purchases are considered economically feasible. As a result of unpredictable and alternating wet and dry years, opportunities to purchase additional water supplies are not constant and highly volatile. Years in which reasonable supplemental resources are unavailable, un-utilized funds are rolled over into the following year.
As per the Contract, KDWCD is obligated to provide a management plan for the incoming year for the City Council to approve. Below is a description of the 2024 Visalia Water Management Plan (Plan). A copy of the Plan has been included as an attachment.
A majority of the Plan is comprised of pre-existing goals outlined by the Management Committee and includes basic actions such as location and purchase of supplemental surface supplies, further assessment of potential water recharge faciliti...
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