Prop 218 Elections
Election Results
Proposition 218 Assessment Election Results
The Greater Kaweah GSA conducted a Proposition 218 Election in 2021 to raise a $10 per acre assessment to fund local Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) administration and implementation. The Prop 218 Election concluded with a public hearing on May 10, 2021. Following the closing of the Prop 218 assessment election public hearing, the Greater Kaweah GSA Board tabulated and certified the ballot results, which favored the local assessment by 85 percent. The Board approved and set a rate of $10/acre for the fiscal year 2021/22. The Board will set a rate not to exceed $10/acre each fiscal year.
Proposition 218 Assessment Election Purpose
Funding the Greater Kaweah GSA
The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) is an unfunded state mandate that was passed in 2014. It requires water agencies to bring groundwater basins into balanced levels of pumping and recharge within 20 years. SGMA is unfunded and has severe consequences to landowners if its requirements are not met. That is why the Greater Kaweah Groundwater Sustainability Agency is proactively developing solutions to prioritize local interests and keep expenses for landowners to a minimum.
The Greater Kaweah GSA sought landowner approval to raise a $10 per acre assessment through a Proposition 218 election. The assessment is needed to keep Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) implementation local by funding the administration and implementation of the Greater Kaweah GSA’s Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP). If the Greater Kaweah GSA fails to implement the GSP, such failure would result in intervention by the State. By ensuring successful GSP implementation, the Greater Kaweah GSA and its landowners can avoid the uncertainties and potential costs associated with State Intervention.
Compliance with SGMA is not optional and is best accomplished locally. Securing funds to retain local control ensures stakeholders have input and provides solutions that benefit our region. The Greater Kaweah GSA Board is dedicated to navigating SGMA together as a local community.
To identify if your property lies within the Greater Kaweah GSA, use the CA Department of Water Resources GSA Map Viewer Tool.
The Greater Kaweah GSA sought landowner approval to raise a $10 per acre assessment through a Proposition 218 election.
Prop 218 Overview
The Greater Kaweah GSA Board is committed to retaining local control over SGMA implementation, where landowner dollars are utilized most efficiently and beneficially. To fund these efforts the Board conducted a Proposition 218 election for approval to levy assessments on landowners within its jurisdiction. The primary objectives of the Greater Kaweah GSA Board regarding revenues are to ensure the Agency’s expenditures are truly necessary and that those costs are allocated in a fair and equitable manner. The not-to-exceed $10.00 per acre assessment reflects a 6-year budget.
Stakeholders Impacted by the Prop 218
The affected landowners includes all parcel owners within the boundaries of the Greater Kaweah GSA excluding parcels of 4 acres or less, government owned parcels, public right-of-way (roads and highways), parcels not entirely within the Greater Kaweah GSA boundary, and lands within the cities and communities of Goshen, Exeter, Hanford, Farmersville, Ivanhoe, Visalia, and Woodlake.
To identify if your property lies within the Greater Kaweah GSA, use the CA Department of Water Resources GSA Map Viewer Tool.
Prop 218 Background
Proposition 218 is a Constitutional Initiative approved by the voters of California in November 1996. It requires new or increased fees and assessments be approved by affected landowners. The Greater Kaweah GSA made the decision to conduct a Proposition 218 because it is a transparent process and gives landowners a direct say in determining the election and SGMA implementation.
Proposition 218 Assessment Election Purpose
The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) is an unfunded state mandate that was passed in 2014. It requires water agencies to bring groundwater basins into balanced levels of pumping and recharge within 20 years. SGMA is unfunded and has severe consequences to landowners if its requirements are not met. That is why the Greater Kaweah Groundwater Sustainability Agency is proactively developing solutions to prioritize local interests and keep expenses for landowners to a minimum.
The Greater Kaweah GSA sought landowner approval to raise a $10 per acre assessment through a Proposition 218 election. The assessment is needed to keep Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) implementation local by funding the administration and implementation of the Greater Kaweah GSA’s Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP). If the Greater Kaweah GSA fails to implement the GSP, such failure would result in intervention by the State. By ensuring successful GSP implementation, the Greater Kaweah GSA and its landowners can avoid the uncertainties and potential costs associated with State Intervention.
Compliance with SGMA is not optional and is best accomplished locally. Securing funds to retain local control ensures stakeholders have input and provides solutions that benefit our region. The Greater Kaweah GSA Board is dedicated to navigating SGMA together as a local community.
To identify if your property lies within the Greater Kaweah GSA, use the CA Department of Water Resources GSA Map Viewer Tool.
The Greater Kaweah GSA sought landowner approval to raise a $10 per acre assessment through a Proposition 218 election.
Funding the Greater Kaweah GSA
Prop 218 Overview
The Greater Kaweah GSA Board is committed to retaining local control over SGMA implementation, where landowner dollars are utilized most efficiently and beneficially. To fund these efforts the Board conducted a Proposition 218 election for approval to levy assessments on landowners within its jurisdiction. The primary objectives of the Greater Kaweah GSA Board regarding revenues are to ensure the Agency’s expenditures are truly necessary and that those costs are allocated in a fair and equitable manner. The not-to-exceed $10.00 per acre assessment reflects a 6-year budget.
Stakeholders Impacted by the Prop 218
The affected landowners includes all parcel owners within the boundaries of the Greater Kaweah GSA excluding parcels of 4 acres or less, government owned parcels, public right-of-way (roads and highways), parcels not entirely within the Greater Kaweah GSA boundary, and lands within the cities and communities of Goshen, Exeter, Hanford, Farmersville, Ivanhoe, Visalia, and Woodlake.
To identify if your property lies within the Greater Kaweah GSA, use the CA Department of Water Resources GSA Map Viewer Tool.
Prop 218 Background
Proposition 218 is a Constitutional Initiative approved by the voters of California in November 1996. It requires new or increased fees and assessments be approved by affected landowners. The Greater Kaweah GSA made the decision to conduct a Proposition 218 because it is a transparent process and gives landowners a direct say in determining the election and SGMA implementation.
Implementing SGMA
The Cost of Groundwater Management
An unfunded California law, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) requires better management and balance of groundwater supplies in a groundwater subbasin through the creation of local Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) with extensive powers to manage groundwater.
The Greater Kaweah GSA is the voice for our landowners, complying with SGMA and interacting with State agencies such as the Department of Water Resources and State Water Resources Control Board.
An assessment rate structure is necessary to cover the costs to follow the new State law within its stipulated deadlines. Based on the Greater Kaweah GSA’s needs, the Board of Directors proposed holding a Proposition 218 Election for landowner approval to levy an assessment. The Prop 218 Election concluded with a public hearing on May 10, 2021. Following the closing of the Prop 218 assessment election public hearing, the Greater Kaweah GSA Board tabulated and certified the ballot results, which favored the local assessment by 85 percent. The assessment generates sufficient revenue to fund annual operational costs and expenses associated with the implementation of the Greater Kaweah GSA Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP).
Greater Kaweah’s GSP focuses on assessing, monitoring, and mitigating undesirable results from groundwater use. Several of these undesirable results, for example lowering groundwater levels and groundwater storage reduction, are significant issues and will need to be addressed and corrected.