BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Government Code § 84308 Applies: Yes ☐ No ☒
(If “YES” Complete Attachment A - Gov. Code § 84308)
SUBJECT: Title
Approve Recommended Federal Funding Requests for Fiscal Years 2027 and 2028.
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RECOMMENDATION: Recommendation
Approve the recommended funding requests for federal fiscal years 2027 and 2028 for Santa Clara Valley Water District-sponsored and Santa Clara Valley Water District-supported projects and priorities.
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SUMMARY:
On September 28-30, 2026, Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water) staff will travel to Washington, D.C., to meet with Members of Congress and administration officials to advocate for Valley Water’s federal funding requests and legislative priorities for fiscal years (FYs) 2027 and 2028. Approval of this item will allow these staff to engage in and influence the federal budget process, as well as discuss and advocate for other priority issues.
While federal FY 2027 begins October 1, 2026, Congress has yet to enact any appropriations bills for the upcoming fiscal year and is instead expected to pass a short-term Continuing Resolution to fund the government at FY 2026 levels through early December. (At the time of writing this, Congress had not yet enacted the CR.) In addition, federal agencies are currently in the process of drafting their respective FY 2028 budget requests, which the president will release in his budget submission to Congress next spring. Valley Water’s fall trip to Washington, D.C., is purposely scheduled during that timeframe so that we may influence the development of the federal budget for the following fiscal year.
To influence the budget process during this trip, staff is requesting that the Board support Valley Water’s requests for funding critical watershed and water utility projects, programs, and priorities in fiscal years 2027 and 2028. These requests are shown in Attachment 1 and are coordinated with Valley Water’s federal and local partners to ensure that Valley Water’s programs and projects receive maximum available federal funding.
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IMPACT:
There are no direct environmental justice impacts associated with this item, as the Board’s position does not enact the funding requests. However, if these funds were secured, it would benefit overburdened and disadvantaged communities in Santa Clara County.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no financial impact associated with this item.
CEQA:
The recommended action does not constitute a project under CEQA because it does not have the potential for resulting in direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: Federal Funding Requests for Fiscal Years 2027-2028.
UNCLASSIFIED MANAGER: Manager
Marta Lugo, 408-630-2237