Moses Lake Irrigation District

The Special Meeting agenda included the Call to Order, Approval of Agenda, discussion items, and action items. Key topics involved the potential action regarding the starting time for MLIRD Regular Public Meetings to be 5:00 PM effective March 10, 2026, and an Executive Session. Subsequent documents related to this meeting show the adoption of Supplementary Bylaws regarding the new regular meeting time and the unanimous approval of Resolution 2026-003 concerning an increase in Directors' Compensation, retroactive to January 1, 2024. The meeting also covered rectifying ILA and Purchase and Sale Agreements for Lake Harvesting Equipment.

The draft agenda for the board meeting included typical items such as the Call to Order, Roll Call, Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the agenda and consent agenda. The consent agenda covered approval of minutes from the January 13, 2026 Regular Board Meeting and Public Hearing, and approval of bills/checks totaling $104,444.78 for Rehabilitation and $16,534.79 for Irrigation. Other scheduled items included staff reports, an executive session, and action/discussion items. A specific action item was Resolution 2026-002 regarding the approval of a Small Purchase Roster Process for purchases not exceeding $50,000.00.

During a Special Board Meeting, the Board unanimously approved a motion not to assess MLIRD ratepayers any fees, charges, rates, taxes, or tolls for 2022. This decision was based on the uncertainty regarding assessment authority pending a Washington Court of Appeals decision or a legislative fix. The District plans to operate on a tight budget using accumulated reserves and proceeds from the sale of surplus equipment during 2022. Board members expressed that this action was in the best interest of the ratepayers, citing significant changes in the interpretation of the original 1963 code.

The Moses Lake Irrigation & Re-habilitation District's 'Lake View' document provides an update on the district's mission to manage irrigation, recreation, and lake rehabilitation. It details strategic initiatives such as the Moses Lake Sediment Management Plan, focusing on suction dredging in Parker Horn to remove accumulated silt, and efforts for invasive weed eradication. The plan aims to improve water quality, restore recreational access, protect shorelines and wildlife habitats, and enhance the lake's overall ecological health through adaptive management and collaborative partnerships.

This document provides an overview of the Moses Lake Irrigation and Re-habilitation District's (MLIRD) operational history and strategic evolution in managing Moses Lake. It details the challenges presented by sediment inflow and water quality degradation, and outlines MLIRD's responses and investments from 2000 to 2011. Key initiatives include enhanced water quality monitoring, infrastructure development, in-house management capacity building, and programs aimed at sediment removal and ecosystem health, reflecting an expanded mission encompassing irrigation, recreation, and re-habilitation.