DATE: April 21, 2026
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Steven E. White, Director
Department of Public Works and Planning
SUBJECT: Financial Assistance application to the State Water Resources Control Board
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Adopt a Resolution retroactively authorizing the Director of Public Works and Planning (Director) or his or her designee to submit a funding application with the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) for Operations and Maintenance grant funding assistance for Waterworks District 40 - Shaver Springs, and subject to the review and approval of County Counsel as to legal form and the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer-Tax Collector as to accounting form, required assurances, certifications, and commitments, and execute any agreements and amendments that the Director deems necessary for the consummation and continuing administration of the project.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action retroactively authorizes the Director, or his or her designee, as the County’s authorized representative, to submit a funding application with the SWRCB for grant funding for direct operations and maintenance (O&M) assistance for Waterworks District 40 - Shaver Springs (WWD 40), submitted on June 25, 2025, contingent upon your Board’s approval. This resolution will also authorize the Director to execute, subject to the review and approval of County Counsel and the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer-Tax Collector, any agreements and amendments that the Director deems necessary for the consummation and continuing administration of the project. This recommended action does not commit your Board to obtain additional financial assistance and only authorizes the Department to seek additional financial assistance, if needed for the O&M, from the SWRCB.
This item pertains to a location in District 5.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There is no viable alternative action. If your Board does not approve the recommended action, WWD 40 customers will be unable to receive O&M assistance from the SWRCB. Without this support, the community will continue paying rates that exceed the State’s affordability threshold for essential water service.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. Grant funding for direct O&M assistance for WWD 40 will be provided by the SWRCB.
DISCUSSION:
Fresno County WWD 40 was established in 1971 to provide community water and sewer for the Shaver Springs subdivision located east of Tollhouse Road, near the intersection of Tollhouse Road and Shaver Springs Road. There are 96 parcels, of which 69 are developed, 23 are undeveloped, and 4 parcels are tax-exempt outlots. WWD 40 also provides water to one out-of-district user.
As a dependent Special District governed by the Fresno County Board of Supervisors, WWD 40 relies solely on customer revenue to fund operations and maintenance. The District’s average monthly water rate currently exceeds the SWRCB’s affordability threshold, which is based on annual Median Household Income (MHI) and considers water service affordable when it costs no more than 2.5% of MHI. WWD 40 customers currently pay above that threshold, resulting in water costs that the State considers unaffordable without assistance.
On June 24, 2025, following a Public Protest Hearing on proposed rate increases for WWD 40, your Board directed staff to pursue immediate financial relief from the SWRCB. To expedite assistance and meet State application timelines, staff prepared and submitted the funding application as directed on June 25, 2025.
On February 12, 2026, the SWRCB Division of Financial Assistance (DFA) approved Safe and Affordable Drinking Water (SADW) funds for direct O&M assistance for WWD 40. The recommended action seeks retroactive authorization to formalize your Board’s prior direction and ensure full compliance with State and County requirements.
Your Board’s approval of the recommended action retroactively approves the submittal of the funding application and allows the Director to submit any agreements and amendments necessary for the project.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #8, June 24, 2025
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Exhibit A - Direct Operation and Maintenance Funding Application
On file with Clerk - Resolution
CAO ANALYST:
Maria Valencia