Title
Consider EAA staff recommendation to amend the 2026 EAA Operating Budget by increasing the General Fund appropriation by $120,000.
Body
STAFF RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Move the Finance/Administrative Committee recommend the board amend the 2026 EAA Operating Budget by increasing the General Fund appropriation for Capital Assets by $120,000.
SUMMARY:
The purpose of this agenda item is for the Finance/Administrative Committee to consider an EAA staff recommendation to amend the 2026 EAA Operating Budget by increasing the General Fund appropriation by $120,000. This proposed increase is associated with the timing of expenditures under a multi-year contract, resulting in costs being incurred differently than originally anticipated during the budget development process.
On September 25, 2025, the Board approved a contract with Southwest Research Institute for the development of a hydrologic model and GIS layers to estimate recharge, in an amount not to exceed $725,040. The contract amount and term (September 19, 2025, through December 31, 2027) remain unchanged and are not impacted by this budget amendment request. During budget preparation, staff estimated annual project costs and included those amounts in the 2026 operating budget. However, project development has progressed at a different pace than originally projected. Contract invoices received through July 3, 2026, total $287,780, and staff anticipates the need for an additional $120,000 in funding to cover project expenses for the remainder of 2026. The proposed 2027 budget will include the balance of remaining costs related to this project.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
This agenda item supports the general EAA mission.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This proposed amendment would increase the 2026 Operating Budget by $120,000 and reduce the operating reserves in General Fund by the same amount.