Title
Consider recommendation from the Finance/Administrative Committee to authorize staff to present the 2021 proposed budget and associated aquifer management fee rates for public comment.
Body
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Move the board authorize staff to present the 2021 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 2021 proposed budget and associated aquifer management fee rates for public comment. EAA staff presented the General Manager’s 2021 Proposed Budget to the board on September 8. 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 2021. The proposed budget supports two major programmatic areas: a General Fund of $19.9 million in projected expenses, supported by revenues generated through the assessment of a $50 per acre-foot general aquifer management fee; and an Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan Fund of $14.2 million in projected expenses, supported by revenues generated through the assessment of a $34 per acre-foot aquifer management fee. Collectively, this makes for a $34.1 million comprehensive budget funded by a combined aquifer management fee of $84 per acre-foot assessed on authorized non-agricultural (municipal and industrial) groundwater. This combined rate remains unchanged since 2012.
In response to the COVID-19 crisis and to protect the health of the public, staff proposes to hold a virtual public meeting on Wednesday, October 14, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. to present the proposed budget and receive public comment. In addition, staff also proposes to provide a presentation of the proposed budget on the EAA website, and social media, inviting the public to provide comment.
Following the public meeting, the Finance/Administrative Committee, at the October 27 meeting, will consider any comments received and may make a recommendation for the board to approve the 2021 proposed budget and aquifer management fee rates at the November 10 board meeting.
At the September 22 meeting, the Finance/Administrative Committee voted to recommend the board authorize staff to present the 2021 proposed budget and associated aquifer management fee rates for public comment.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
This agenda item does not relate to a specific goal within the Strategic Plan, but supports the general EAA mission.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The General Manager’s 2021 Proposed Operating Budget totals $34.1 million. There is no fiscal impact associated with this item until the board adopts the 2021 budget and assesses the aquifer management fee rates.