Agenda Item Wording:
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Water Management Plan – Receive the 2025 Visalia Water Management Annual Report and consider approval of the 2026 Water Management Plan submitted by the Visalia Water Management Committee.
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Agenda Date: 06/15/2026
Prepared by: Nick Bartsch, Public Works Director, (559) 713-4052
Department Recommendation: It is the recommendation of staff that City Council receive the 2025 Annual Report and approve the 2026 Visalia Water Management Plan.
Summary:
The City of Visalia has partnered with Kaweah Delta Water Conservation District (KDWCD) for the purpose of water resources management, supplemental surface water purchases, and the planning and implementation of necessary or opportunistic projects that benefit the City. Annually, a report on the prior year’s activities is provided, along with a presentation of the Water Management Plan for the upcoming year.
Background Discussion:
In 2001, the City of Visalia (City) partnered with the Kaweah Delta Water Conservation District (KDWCD). 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 2025, the City provided $182,369.81 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-u...
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