Graciela C. Gutierrez

The Board meeting agenda included the Pledge of Allegiance, Roll Call, and the Election of a new Chair and Vice Chair. Key discussion items involved considering the appointment of Jacob Weinzinger to the Wyandotte Creek GSA Advisory Committee (WAC) for the Agricultural Groundwater User stakeholder position. The Board was also scheduled to review and provide direction on the draft five-year projected budget and proposed fee structure, covering cost allocations between Fee Parts 1 and 2, potential exclusions for fallowed parcels, and differential treatment for parcels receiving imported water.

The meeting included discussions and actions on several key items. The board received an update on the Groundwater Sustainability Plan for the Wyandotte Creek Subbasin. A recommendation was made regarding the appointment of Nicole Johansson to the Wyandotte Creek GSA Stakeholder Advisory Committee as an agricultural well owner representative, with a term ending April 22, 2023. The board also considered approving Resolution 2021-01 to replace the annual financial audit requirement with a two-year audit, as authorized by Government Code section 6505(f). Reports were received concerning the Wyandotte Creek GSA Advisory Committee, the GSA Financial Report, Monitoring Well Installation Update, and the Management Committee Update.

The Special Board Meeting included discussions and actions on critical financial matters. An evaluation of a potential fee structure was removed from the agenda for a future meeting. The Board adopted Resolution No. 2025-01, approving the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Annual Operating Budget, which included one adjustment since the initial review in May 2025. Furthermore, the Board adopted Resolution No. 2025-02, setting the Fiscal Year 2025-26 operating fees for different parcel classifications and requesting Butte County to collect these fees on the 2025-26 tax roll. A review of the draft Five Year 2026-2030 Revenue Needs and Potential Fee Study Update was also removed from the agenda. The GSA Program Manager provided a verbal update including items on the Community Well Monitoring Program.

The meeting included the Pledge of Allegiance and a roll call. Key discussions involved the approval of Amendment No. 1 to the contract with Hansford Economic Consulting to increase the budget for evaluating the Vina GSA fee structure application and support for final deliverables. The Board received a presentation and discussion regarding the evaluation of a potential fee structure for the Agency based on Hansford Economic Consulting's analysis. Additionally, the Board reviewed the draft Five Year 2026-2030 Revenue Needs and discussed a potential Fee Study update, directing staff to initiate a new fee study process with Hansford Economic Consulting. The Board also considered and approved a response letter to the 2024-2025 Butte County Grand Jury report titled "Palermo Needs Clean Water," authorizing the submission of the draft response.

The Joint Powers Authority Board Meeting addressed public access protocols due to COVID-19 restrictions. Key agenda items included reviewing and potentially approving the revised 2020-2021 Wyandotte Creek GSA Annual Budget, which required minor adjustments requested by the Butte County Auditor's office concerning revenue detail, account numbers, and insurance expense reflection. The board also received updates and discussions on the Groundwater Sustainability Plan Status, a review of the Draft Basin Setting Chapter (for which no public comments were received), and a review of the Project and Management Actions Development Process. Reports included the Wyandotte Creek Financial Report and updates on the Managing Committee and Board Recruitment.