BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT:Title
Adopt Resolutions Setting Increased Groundwater Production Charges and Surface Water, Treated Water, and South County Recycled Water Charges, for Fiscal Year 2022-2023.
*PREVIOUSLY LISTED AS ITEM 2.9
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RECOMMENDATION:Recommendation
A. Adopt the Resolution DETERMINING GROUNDWATER PRODUCTION CHARGES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022-2023; and
B. Adopt the Resolution DETERMINING SURFACE WATER, TREATED WATER, AND SOUTH COUNTY RECYCLED WATER CHARGES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022-2023.
Body
SUMMARY:
The Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water) annually considers adjusting the water charges necessary to provide a reliable water supply to Santa Clara County. Pursuant to Section 26.6 and 26.7 of the District Act, an annual public hearing is held before the Board on or before the fourth Tuesday of April to consider whether or not to levy a groundwater production charge, i.e., a charge on pumping groundwater. For surface water charges, the rate setting process is set forth in Board Resolution 12-10 and includes a formal protest procedure. If written protests are filed by a majority of affected surface water operators or property owners, the surface water charge for that zone will not be increased.
On April 12, 2022, the Board opened the public hearing on the proposed groundwater production charges, surface water charges, and recycled water charges for Fiscal Year 2022-23; the public hearing continued at special board meetings held on April 14, 2022 and again on April 26, 2022. Public comments were accepted at all three meetings, and the public hearing was closed April 26, 2022 before adjourning the board meeting.
The current and severe drought has impacted everyone in Santa Clara County, and as water becomes more scarce it also becomes more expensive. As the primary water wholesaler, Valley Water has experienced reduced contract water allocations and availability of water imported into the County. Purchasing emergency water supplies on ...
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