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 Fiscal Year 2026.
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RECOMMENDATION: Recommendation
Approve the recommended funding requests for federal Fiscal Year 2026 for Valley Water-sponsored and Valley Water-supported projects and priorities.
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SUMMARY:
On April 28-30, 2025, Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water) directors and 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) 2026 appropriations requests and legislative priorities. 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.
In April or May, President Trump will submit his FY 2026 budget request to Congress, initiating the FY 2026 appropriations process. Valley Water’s trip is purposely scheduled for the spring so that we may influence the appropriations process and the subsequent work plan requests for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). To engage in and influence the budget 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 2026. Federal FY 2026 begins October 1, 2025, and runs through September 30, 2026. These preliminary requests are shown in Attachment 1 and are coordinated with Valley Water’s federal, state, and local partners to ensure that Valley Water’s programs and projects receive maximum available federal funding.
Prior to the fall trip to Washington, D.C., staff will bring an updated list of appropriations requests for FY 2026, if applicable, and budget requests for FY 2027 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 2026 Federal Funding Requests
UNCLASSIFIED MANAGER: Manager
Marta Lugo, 408-630-2237