Title
Consider recommendation from the Finance/Administrative Committee to approve an amended Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan Program FY2017 Funding Application of the Edwards Aquifer Authority.
Body
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Move the board adopt Resolution and Order No. 03-17-870 of the Edwards Aquifer Authority Board of Directors approving an amendment to the Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan FY2017 Program Funding Application, increasing the funding request from $16,147,247 to $20,576,826, for the purpose of funding and implementing the Refugia Conservation and Adaptive Management Measure and the Ecological Modeling Adaptive Management Measure.
SUMMARY:
The purpose of this agenda item is for the board to consider a Finance/Administrative Committee recommendation to approve an amended Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan Program FY2017 Program Funding Application for the EAA regarding funding increases for the Ecological Modeling Adaptive Management Measure for the period January 1, 2017 to April 30, 2017, and for the Refugia Conservation and Adaptive Management Measure for the remainder of 2017.
On November 8, 2016, the board approved EAA’s initial Funding Application for FY2017. The budget amounts presented in the funding application represented the costs contained in the original workplans. With the execution of the extension of the ecological modeling contract through April 2017, and with the execution of the Refugia Operations contract, the original budget amounts must be modified to reflect these changes.
Staff presented the proposed, amended 2017 EAHCP Funding Application to the Implementing Committee for consideration and approval at the February 16 meeting. The amended funding application was approved and is attached for review and consideration.
At the February 28 meeting, the Finance/Administrative Committee voted to recommend the board adopt a resolution and order of the Edwards Aquifer Authority Board of Directors approving an amendment to the Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan FY2017 Program Funding Application, increasing the funding request from $16,147,247 to $20,576,826, for the purpose of funding and implementing the Refugia Conservation and Adaptive Management Measure and the Ecological Modeling Adaptive Management Measure. Resolution and Order No. 03-17-870, which has been reviewed by legal counsel, is also attached.
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.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
This agenda item supports the EAA's policy direction as set forth in the EAA 2016-20 Strategic Plan: Goal A. Sustain Federally Protected Aquifer-Dependent Species.
FISCAL IMPACT:
If approved, this amendment to the 2017 Funding Application will require a budget amendment to increase the 2017 appropriation by $4,429,579. The committee will be asked to consider this budget amendment later on this agenda.
The funds for the amended ecological modeling contract consist of unspent funds from the 2016 budget that will be used in 2017.