BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Government Code § 84308 Applies: Yes ☐ No ☒
(If “YES” Complete Attachment A - Gov. Code § 84308)
SUBJECT:
Title
Approve the Federal Funding Requests for Federal Fiscal Years 2025 and 2026.
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Approve the recommended funding requests for federal Fiscal Years 2025 and 2026 for Valley Water-sponsored and Valley Water-supported projects and priorities.
Body
SUMMARY:
On November 16-20, 2024, Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water) executive staff will travel to Washington, D.C., to meet with Members of Congress and staff, as well as executive agency officials and staff, to advocate for Valley Water’s fiscal year (FY) 2025 appropriations requests, legislative priorities, and influence the administration’s development of the FY 2026 federal budget. Approval of this item will allow these Board members and staff to engage in and influence the federal budget process, as well as discuss and advocate for other priority issues.
While the 2025 federal fiscal year began on October 1, 2024, there is still time to influence FY 2025 appropriations. The federal government is currently operating under a continuing resolution that funds federal agencies on a short-term basis at FY 2024 funding levels. Congress is expected to pass FY 2025 appropriations after the elections but before the end of the year. In addition, federal agencies are currently in the process of finalizing their respective FY 2026 budget requests, which the President will release in his/her budget submission to Congress in spring 2025. Valley Water’s trip is purposely scheduled for the fall so that we may influence the appropriations requests and the development of the federal budget for the following fiscal year.
To engage in and influence the budget and appropriations process during this trip, staff is requesting that the Board support Valley Water’s USACE-partnered flood protection project funding requests and the federally partnered water utility project funding requests for FY 2025 and FY 2026. 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.
In early 2025, prior to the spring trip to Washington, D.C., staff will bring an updated list of appropriations requests for FY 2026 for the Board’s approval.
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND EQUITY 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: FY 2025 and FY 2026 Federal Funding Requests
UNCLASSIFIED MANAGER:
Manager
Marta Lugo, 408-630-2237