SGMA Operational Assessment (Prop 218)
Financing Groundwater Sustainability in East Turlock Subbasin GSA
In the fall of 2023, ETSGSA began working on establishing a new funding mechanism in support of the Operational Budget and Project and Management Action Budget to implement its GSP. It was determined that two separate funding mechanisms would be needed to generate the revenue required: a land-based Proposition 218 benefit assessment in support of the Operational Budget, and a groundwater use-based Proposition 218 property related fee in support of Project and Management Action Budget.
SGMA Operational Assessment Election Results
The ETS GSA Board successfully passed a Proposition 218 election to adopt the SGMA Operational Assessment to cover the cost of its Operational Budget.
ETSGSA mailed ballots to all landowners within ESTGSA boundaries on January 30, 2024. After a 63-day balloting period, the ETSGSA Proposition 218 SGMA Operational Assessment passed with over 80% support following a vote tabulation during a Public Hearing of the ETSGSA Board of Directors on April 2, 2024 at Cortez Hall.
The fee will be levied on all parcels within the boundary of the GSA. Irrigated parcels are assessed at a rate of $17.75 per acre and non-irrigated parcels at $1.54 per acre.
Landowners seeking to reclassify their designated irrigation status can do so via the ETSGSA SGMA Operational Assessment Appeal Process Policy.
For more information on the rationale supporting the SGMA Operational Assessment, please see the Engineer’s Report, FAQs, and Fact Sheet linked below.
Resources