Title
Consider recommendation from the Finance/Administrative Committee to authorize staff to present the 2027 proposed operating budget and associated aquifer management fee rates for public comment.
Body
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Move the board authorize staff to present the 2027 proposed budget and associated aquifer management fee rates for public comment.
SUMMARY:
The purpose of this agenda item is for the board to consider a Finance/Administrative committee recommendation to authorize staff to present the 2027 proposed budget and associated aquifer management fee rates for public comment. EAA staff presented the General Manager’s 2027 Proposed Budget to the board on September 8th. An electronic version of the proposed budget is attached to this summary.
The proposed budget represents the General Manager’s recommendation to accomplish the EAA’s strategic initiatives for 2027. The proposed budget supports two major programmatic areas: a General Fund of $27.7 million in projected expenses, supported by revenues generated through the assessment of a $70 per acre-foot general aquifer management fee; and an Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan Fund of $13.8 million in projected expenses, supported by revenues generated through the assessment of a $34 per acre-foot program aquifer management fee. Collectively, this makes for a $41.5 million comprehensive budget funded by a combined aquifer management fee rate of $104 per acre-foot assessed on authorized non-agricultural (municipal and industrial) groundwater. This combined aquifer management fee rate represents a 7.2% (or $7) increase over the previous year combined aquifer management fee rate.
Staff proposes to hold a public meeting in the EAA Board Room, and via Zoom video conference, on Monday, October 19, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. to present the proposed budget and receive public comment. In addition, staff will provide a presentation of the proposed budget on the EAA website and social media, inviting the public to provide comments by Wednesday, October 21.
The Finance/Administrative Committee, at its October 27 meeting, may consider any comments received and may make a recommendation for the board to approve the 2027 proposed budget and aquifer management fee rates at its November 10 board meeting.
At the September 22 meeting, the Finance/Administrative Committee voted to recommend the board authorize staff to present the 2027 proposed budget and associated aquifer management fee rates for public comment.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
This agenda item supports the general EAA mission.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The General Manager’s 2027 Proposed Operating Budget totals $41.5 million. There is no fiscal impact associated with this item until the board adopts the 2027 budget and assesses the aquifer management fee rates.