DATE: April 9, 2024
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Steven E. White, Director
Department of Public Works and Planning
SUBJECT: Accept Drought Grant Funding from the State of California Department of Water Resources for WWD 40 - Shaver Springs
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Sitting as the Board of Directors of Waterworks District No. 40:
1. Retroactively approve and authorize the Department of Public Works and Planning’s previous submittal of a grant application to the State of California Department of Water Resources Small Community Drought Relief Program; and
2. Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a Resolution authorizing the Director of the Department of Public Works and Planning to execute a funding agreement in the amount of $1,202,000, with the State of California Department of Water Resources, subject to review and approval by County Counsel and the Auditor-Controller/Treasure-Tax Collector; and
3. Adopt Budget Resolution increasing FY 2023-24 appropriations and estimated revenues for Public Works and Planning Org 9360, in the amount of $1,202,000 (4/5 vote).
REPORT
To meet the grant filing deadline, the Department of Public Works and Planning (Department) submitted the Grant Application (Exhibit A) for Waterworks District 40 - Shaver Springs (WWD 40), on January 4, 2022 for the State of California Department of Water Resources (DWR) Small Community Drought Relief Program, contingent upon your Board’s approval. DWR notified the Department on June 14, 2023, that the project for WWD 40 had been approved (Exhibit B). A finalized funding agreement from DWR is currently being drafted.
Approval of the first recommended action retroactively authorizes the submittal of the grant application to DWR. Approval of the second recommended action provides an authorizing resolution, as required by DWR, allowing the County to enter into a funding agreement for the Shaver Springs Water Treatment and New Well Project (Project) and will authorize the Director of the Department of Public Works and Planning’s (Director) to execute the grant agreement (Agreement), subject to review by County Counsel and the Auditor-Controller/Treasure-Tax Collector, and provide such documentation necessary to support filing of the application. Approval of the third recommended action will ensure sufficient spending authority in the Department of Public Works and Planning’s Org 9360 FY 2023-24 Adopted Budget.
This item pertains to locations in District 5.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There are no viable alternative actions. Should your Board not approve the recommended actions, the Department would have to coordinate with the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRDB) or DWR to obtain an alternative funding source for the continuation of WWD 40’s Project.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. All costs associated with the infrastructure replacement will be reimbursed under the Agreement. The third recommended action will increase appropriations and estimated revenues in FY 2023-24 for WWD 40, Org 9360, to account for the anticipated revenues and expenditures related to the DWR grant funding.
DISCUSSION:
The Small Community Drought Relief Program was authorized by the Legislature pursuant to the Budget Act of 2021, as amended (Stats. 2022, ch.44, § 25). The intent of the program is to provide immediate and near-term financial and/or technical support to help small communities survive the current drought as well as future droughts.
To meet the grant filling deadline, the Department submitted the Grant Application on January 4, 2022, to DWR for the Small Community Drought Relief Program, contingent upon your Board’s approval. DWR notified the Department on June 14, 2023, that the project for WWD 40 had been approved and a funding agreement was being drafted. The Project funding is not to exceed $1,202,000.
Fresno County Waterworks District 40 (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 provides water to one out-of-district user. Due to the contaminants naturally occurring the ground, WWD 40 continues to experience water quality and quantity issues. The Project consists of identifying one or more additional sources of potable water to add to the current supply and may include the installation of a water treatment system with minimal backwash to conserve water from the limited supply.
At this time, the initial term of funding from DWR is through June 30, 2025. The Department is still waiting for a finalized grant agreement for more specific details regarding items such as this term. However, the Department will work towards ensuring the Project moves towards completion within any specified time parameters as outlined in a finalized grant agreement from DWR.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Exhibit A - Grant Application
Exhibit B - Approval Letter
On file with Clerk - Resolution
On file with Clerk - Budget Resolution (Org 9360)
CAO ANALYST:
Salvador Espino