Title
Consider EAA staff recommendation to authorize staff to present the 2026 proposed operating budget and associated aquifer management fee rates for public comment.
Body
STAFF RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Move the Finance/Administrative Committee recommend the board authorize staff to present the 2026 proposed budget and associated aquifer management fee rates for public comment.
SUMMARY:
The purpose of this agenda item is for the Finance/Administrative Committee to consider an EAA staff recommendation to authorize staff to present the 2026 proposed budget and associated aquifer management fee rates for public comment. EAA staff presented the General Manager’s 2026 Proposed Budget to the board on September 9th. 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 2026. The proposed budget supports two major programmatic areas: a General Fund of $27.3 million in projected expenses, supported by revenues generated through the assessment of a $62 per acre-foot general aquifer management fee; and an Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan Fund of $19.2 million in projected expenses, supported by revenues generated through the assessment of a $35 per acre-foot program aquifer management fee. Collectively, this makes for a $46.5 million comprehensive budget funded by a combined aquifer management fee rate of $97 per acre-foot assessed on authorized non-agricultural (municipal and industrial) groundwater. This combined aquifer management fee rate represents a 7.78% (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 Wednesday, October 15, 2025, 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 websi...
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