DATE: January 6, 2026
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Steven E. White, Director
Department of Public Works and Planning
SUBJECT: Retroactive Financial Assistance Application to the State Water Resources Control Board
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Retroactively approve and adopt a Resolution authorizing the Director of Public Works and Planning or his or her designee (Director) to a previous submittal of a funding application with the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) for Operations and Maintenance grant funding assistance for County Service Area 49 - Five Points, 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, any required assurances, certifications, and commitments, and execute any agreement 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 execute a funding application with the SWRCB for grant funding for direct operations and maintenance (O&M) assistance for County Service Area 49 - Five Points (CSA 49) submitted on February 28, 2025, contingent upon the 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 locations in District 4.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Your Board may choose not to approve the recommended action. If the recommended action is not approved, CSA 49 will not be able to receive financial assistance from the SWRCB for O&M costs and an emergency reserve. The cost of the O&M and to build the emergency reserve will be borne solely by the residents living within CSA 49.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. Grant funding for direct O&M assistance for CSA 49 will all be provided by the SWRCB.
DISCUSSION:
The County formed CSA 49 in 2001 to provide water services to the farming community of J.E. O’Neill located approximately 3 miles southwest of the community of Five Points. CSA 49 receives raw water from Westlands Water Districts, which is then treated at the district’s surface water treatment facility.
The SWRCB Division of Financial Assistance (DFA) approved Safe and Affordable Drinking Water (SADW) funds for direct O&M assistance for the community. As a condition, the O&M funding application procedures require, among other things, an applicant’s governing body to declare by resolution certain authorizations related to the administration of O&M funding. Initiating the process as soon as is practicable will enable the Department and SWRCB to rapidly work towards assisting CSA 49 in having affordable rates. The proposed grant period is anticipated to be anywhere from three (3) to five (5) years.
Your Board’s approval of the recommended action allows the Director to execute a funding application for SADW funds.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Location Map
On file with Clerk - Resolution
On file with Clerk - Funding Application
CAO ANALYST:
Maria Valencia