Title
Consider recommendation from EAA staff to approve water conservation grant contracts with: Lance J. Saathoff and Meredith E. Saathoff; Corazon Ranch Company, LLC; Ligocky Farms, LLC; and Mark Roberts, and to amend the 2025 EAA Operating Budget by increasing the General Fund appropriation by $300,000.
Body
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Move the board: (1) approve water conservation grant contracts with: Lance J. Saathoff and Meredith E. Saathoff ($94,900.30); Corazon Ranch Company, LLC ($43,150.29); Ligocky Farms, LLC ($102,630.00); and Mark Roberts ($59,319.41); (2) authorize the General Manager to negotiate and execute the contracts; and (3) amend the 2025 EAA Operating Budget by increasing the General Fund appropriation by $300,000.
SUMMARY:
The purpose of this agenda item is for the board to consider a staff recommendation to approve water conservation grant contracts with EAA groundwater withdrawal permit holders described below. These contracts will fund the installation of irrigation conservation equipment.
The Texas Water Development Board awarded the EAA with grant funds in the amount of $300,000 in 2025 for its water conservation grant program. This grant award is in addition to the 2025 conservation grant contracts awarded by EAA earlier this year utilizing grant monies from the Microsoft Corporation. EAA staff reviewed all existing, non-awarded, grant applications that were received during its 2025 outreach efforts and determined that the proposed projects summarized below met all requirements of the EAA Rules and would result in the most conservation of Edwards groundwater.
Lance J. Saathoff and Meredith E. Saathoff requested funding for the installation of a center pivot sprinkler system to a 28-year-old pivot sprinkler system. Staff is recommending funding in an amount not to exceed $94,900.30.
Corazon Ranch Company. LLC requested funding for the installation of a center pivot sprinkler system to replace a 50-year-old center pivot sprinkler system. Staff is recommending funding in an amount not to exceed $43,150.29.
Ligocky Farms requested funding to replace flood irrigation with a new center pivot sprinkler system. Staff is recommending funding in an amount not to exceed $102,630.00.
Mark Roberts requested funding to replace flood irrigation with a new center pivot sprinkler system. Staff is recommending funding in an amount not to exceed $59,319.41.
A draft template of the grant contract and related exhibit templates, which have been reviewed by legal counsel, are attached to this agenda item. Individual contracts based on these templates will be developed and executed following board approval.
The proposed increase of $300,000 to the 2025 EAA Operating Budget will be offset by the funds received from the Texas Water Development Board. This offset results in a $0 net impact to the 2025 EAA Operating Budget General Fund reserves as shown in the attached budget amendment document.
M/WBE PARTICIPATION:
This agenda item does not involve the procurement of goods or services by the EAA and, therefore, this section is not applicable.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The proposed amendments would increase the 2025 Operating Budget by $300,000 and increase grant revenue by this same amount, resulting in $0 net impact to the General Fund operating reserves.