Agenda Item Wording:
title
Water Management Plan - Receive the 2024 Visalia Water Management Annual Report and consider approval of the 2025 Water Management Plan submitted by the Visalia Water Management Committee.
body
Deadline for Action: 2/18/2025
Submitting Department: Administration
Contact Name and Phone Number: Nick Bartsch, Public Works Director, (559) 713-4052
Department Recommendation:
It is the recommendation of staff that City Council receive the 2024 Annual Report and approve the 2025 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, there is a Management Committee comprised of a representative of the City of Visalia (Steve Nelsen, Council Member), and a representative of KDWCD (Don Mills, KDWCD Board Member). KDWCD has committed to manage the implementation of the Plan, on behalf of the City, and the City provides an annual payment, that is increased annually for inflation, for implementation of the annual Plan. In 2024, the City provided $177,004.32 for this purpose. 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 provides an annual report and a management plan for the incoming year for the City Council to approve. Below is a description of the proposed 2025 Visalia Water Management Plan (Plan). A copy of the Plan has been included as an attachment.
A majority of the Plan is comprised of various objectives and both short- and long-range goals outlined by the Management Committee. These include basic actions such as location and purchase of supplemental surface water supplies, further assessment of potential water recharge facilities, and the investigation and pursuit of available water rights for the purposes of groundwater recharge. In years past, the Plan has specifically identified the intent to contribute 70% of funds collected toward water project design, construction and land rights, 20% toward water purchases, and finally the remaining 10% toward the purchase of water rights. Given the changing climate of the industry, the Committee has recommended a shift and consolidation of these allocations to reflect 60% of funds collected to be applied to water project design, construction and land rights, and the remaining 40% toward the generic purchase of water supply. The Plan includes a contingency for the KDWCD to be authorized to purchase water for the benefit of the City upon mutual agreement by the District General Manager and the Visalia City Manager. This authorization is to prevent a delay of purchase when action is required sooner than the Management Committee has the ability to convene. Previously, the authorization was limited to a maximum of $300,000, not to exceed $150 per acre-foot. However, based on recent increases in the cost of water, the Committee recommends this authorization be modified to use up to 75 percent of available funds allocated to surface water purchases from the agreement’s program funds on deposit with the District to purchase water, at a rate of no more than $300 per acre foot.
Fiscal Impact:
In Fiscal Year 2024/25, the City paid $14,750.36 a month, totaling $177,004.32. With an adjustment for inflation at a rate of 3.5%, the City will be paying $15,266.62 a month in the upcoming Fiscal Year 2025/26. These costs are paid from multiple revenue sources including Ground Water Extraction fees collected through Cal Water, and City fees collected from Ground Water Mitigation impact fees and Water Recharge fees.
Prior Council Action: City Council approved the 2024 Visalia Water Management Plan in August of 2024. City Council approved the original Plan in December of 2001.
Other: N/A
Alternatives: The City Council may choose not to approve the Plan in which case the Management Committee would be required to re-convene and submit a modified plan.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I motion to receive the 2024 Visalia Water Management Annual Report and approve the 2025 Visalia Water Management Plan as submitted by the Kaweah Delta Water Conservation District.
end
Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Attachments:
• Visalia Water Management Committee - 2024 Annual Report - Cover Letter
• Visalia Water Management Committee - 2024 Annual Report
• Visalia Water Management Committee - 2025 Visalia Water Management Plan