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Consent-General Government # 12.
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| Board of Supervisors |
County Administrator |
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| Subject |
| Receive the first quarterly update on the implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act via the newly formed Yolo Subbasin Groundwater Agency, consistent with the Board's direction at the May 9, 2017 Board of Supervisors meeting. (No general fund impact) (Blacklock/Sabatini) |
| Recommended Action |
| Receive and file the first quarterly update on the implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act via the newly formed Yolo Subbasin Groundwater Agency, consistent with the Board's direction at the May 9, 2017 Board of Supervisors meeting. |
| Strategic Plan Goal(s) |
Operational Excellence
Thriving Residents
Sustainable Environment
Flourishing Agriculture |
| Reason for Recommended Action/Background |
The inaugural meeting of the Board of the Yolo Subbasin Groundwater Agency JPA (YGAJPA) met June 19, 2017 at the Woodland Senior Center. The agenda is provided as Attachment A to this staff report. The YGAJPA meeting was very well attended - all Board members and nearly all appointed alternates were present. A copy of the sign in sheet is provided as Attachment B to this staff report.
Immediately preceding the YGAJPA meeting, the Board of the Water Resources Association of Yolo County met and approved a budget item allocating a base level of funding to the YGAJPA for FY 17/18. The proposed budget for the YGAJPA is $466,874 and consists of voluntary contributions from member agencies and affiliated parties. The YGAJPA budget will be reviewed and adopted at the next Board meeting, September 18, 2017.
Financial Accountability
At the May 9, 2017 Board of Supervisors meeting the Board reviewed, discussed, and ultimately unanimously approved the County entering into the JPA agreement referenced above. (The agreement is also provided in Attachment A, the YGAJPA Board meeting agenda packet.) During the Board's discussion of the JPA agreement it was clearly articulated by the Board that the JPA must comply with the County's Financial Accountability Policy (January 2013) or equivalent financial oversight measures. The Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement includes financial provisions that insulate agency members from liability for any debts of the new JPA (Section 5.2) and, in addition, provide various safeguards intended to ensure responsible budgeting, audit, and financial management practices are followed (e.g., Sections 5.5, 5.7-5.10). County Counsel provided an enhanced recommendation at the May 9, 2017 Board meeting: "Oversight could be enhanced further, however, if the JPA were to deposit its funds in the County treasury and designate the County Department of Financial Services as its Auditor and Treasurer. Alternatively, a similar level of financial oversight would result if the JPA Board were to designate a City to fulfill these roles." The YGAJPA did not take action on the designation of the Auditor/Treasurer at their June 19 meeting. That discussion, and a formal recommendation from YGAJPA staff, will occur at the September YGAJPA meeting. Staff will update the Board of Supervisors on this important issue in staff's quarterly reports to the Board.
Yolo Subbasin Groundwater Agency - Actions Taken
A summary of items acted upon by the YGAJPA is provided below. The draft meeting minutes are provided as Attachment C to this staff report.
| Election of Officers |
Babs Sandeen, Chair (West Sacramento)
Roger Cornwall, Vice-Chair (River Garden Farms)
Tim O'Halloran, Executive Officer (YCFCWCD)
Donna Gentile, Secretary (WRA)
Legal Counsel, Kevin O'Brien (Downy Brand)
TBD, Treasurer *Formal Discussion at 9/18/17 meeting* |
| Approval of MOU's |
The Board approved MOU's with Solano County, the Yolo County Farm Bureau, UC Davis, Cal American Water Company, and the Colusa Drain Mutual Water Company. These MOU's formalize the JPA's relationship with affiliated parties who are otherwise not "Eligible entities" as defined in the Water Code. The MOU with Solano County affirms both parties commitment to jointly manage those areas that are within the Yolo Subbasin, but also inside of Solano County. |
Finally, the Board received a presentation from Tim O'Halloran on proposed activities over the next two years that will expand our groundwater monitoring capabilities and prepare for the development of the required Groundwater Sustainability Plan.
The next meeting of the Yolo Subbasin Groundwater Agency JPA is scheduled for September 18, 2017. |
| Collaborations (including Board advisory groups and external partner agencies) |
| Staff collaborated with all of the participating and affiliated entities shown on Attachment B, as well as members of the public and staff from Districts 4 and 5. |
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| Fiscal Impact |
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| Source of Funds for this Expenditure |
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Explanation (Expenditure and/or Revenue) |
| Further explanation as needed: |
| Funding associated with the Yolo Subbasin Groundwater Agency has been approved and allocated in prior Board actions. |
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