By Don A. Wright
The Westlands Water District held its board of directors meeting on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at its Fresno headquarters and on Zoom. The agenda states the meeting is going to begin in a hearing with the Westlands Board acting as the Board of Equalization to consider adopting Resolution No. 108-25 setting assessments. Under California law a special district such as a water district like Westlands gets to – or has, the responsibility of depending on how you look at it, set assessment rates – which in my mind function as a type of tax. You gots to have a hearing so the folks being taxed gets a chance to weigh in.
The Hearing
Chairman Jeff Fortune called the meeting to order at 9:00am. The first item was the Equalization Hearing. There is a great deal of boiler plate that has to be recited to keep it all hoppy with the legal procedures. The first testimony was from staff who said the assessment should bring in $20 million or so. There are two rates, one for land receiving federal Central Valley Project water and one for land not receiving this color of water. All together the per acre charge will be no higher than about $40 per acre. There was no interaction from the public so the board went ahead and adopted the resolution.
The Meeting
Fortune called the hearing over and done and called the regular meeting in open session at 9:06am. The first order was the flag salute followed by passing the consent calendar. General Manager Alison Febbo and Directors William Bourdeau, Frank Coelho and I think Jeremy Hughs are all flying to Washington DC to straighten out them east coastal elites.
Patrick Maloy of Golden State Energy (the company working with Westlands on the largest solar project in the state) reported a management firm known as “1899” has
been hired to perform an independent expert analysis shows the Valley Clean Infrastructure Plan will save PG&E customers $850 million by 2050. The estimate also shows a reduction of 60 million metric tons of CO2, if that turns you on. I’ve been hearing lately, after a certain amount of carbon is released into the atmosphere, any extra releases are not exponential accumulations. After a point – a point that has already been reached – even a massive amount of extra CO2 contributes such an infinitesimal amount of impact to atmospheric warming that it’s not measurable. Well, I’m no scientist but I found it an interesting observation.
Outside Agencies
Russ Freeman reported the San Luis Delta Mendota Water Authority was very involved in the topic of subsidence on the Delta Mendota Canal at its last board meeting. The cost allocation was a big point as you can imagine – especially if you read our report on the SLDMWA earlier this month.
There were no ACWA, CVPWA reports or any other outside agency reports.
Finance
Under the finance portion of the meeting the board adopted Resolution No. 109-25 to transfer delinquent charges to the 2025 assessment book and that passed. Sherman Dix said WWD expects to deliver more than 700,000 a/f this year. The water rates of $167 per a/f were approved. If I understood correctly since this wasn’t an increase a simple majority of yeehas’ from the board was all that was needed.
The next item was Resolution 111-25 which would change the retirement rates for WWD employees hired before 2013. This was also adopted.
SGMA
Next Kiti Campbell updated the board on what’s happening in the Westside Subbasin. Only it wasn’t Miss Kiti, it was Antonio Solorio who said next week there will be a technical committee meeting. Fortune asked if there is any progress in swapping pumping for surface water from growers. Campbell said no one has signed up yet. Director Jim Anderson asked why. For some, it is still cheaper to pump.
The BF Sisk Dam
Freeman told the board the cost share between SLDMWA and the US Bureau of Reclamation is being worked out. So is the activity agreement between SLDM and its members. Only SLDM pulled out and somehow that added net storage to WWD and that adds about $2.6 million to WWD’s cost. This also frees up WWD to partner with others which could be a cost savings. How about that?
Public Comment & Closed Session
Finally, the only public comment came from a slack jawed, reporter who slouched up to the podium to announce to the board and the world this was the shortest Westlands meeting he’d ever attended. Good for them. Then the meeting went into closed session to go over a trashcan full of legal stuff. And that was that. Go be good to yourself and others.
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Westlands Water District
286 W. Cromwell Ave, Fresno, CA 93711 Phone:559/224-1523
Board: Jeff Fortune -President, Jim Anderson – Vice President, Frank Coelho Jr., William Bourdeau, Ryan Ferguson, Ross Franson, Jeremy Hughes, Ernie Costamagna & Justin Diener.
Staff: Allison Febbo-General Manager, Jose Gutierrez-Lt. General Manger, Russ Freeman-Deputy GM Resources, Kitty Campbell-Supervisor of Resources, Steve Farmer-VP of Finance & Admin Affairs, Elizabeth Esposito-In House Counsel, Kelly Vandergon-Director of O&M, Jim Carter-IT Guru and Elizabeth Jonasson-Public Affairs Officer.
About: Without irrigation, farming in the Westlands area of California would be limited and ineffectual. The history of Westlands is one of continual adaptation, careful water stewardship and advanced technology. By maintaining a fierce commitment to sustainability, the Westlands’ comprehensive water supply system continues to adapt, educate, and surpass conservation goals. Throughout its history, Westlands Water District has demonstrated a lasting dedication to water conservation and recognized that the long-term survival of its farms depends on the effective management of California’s precious water resources. From www.wwd.ca.gov
SGMA: Westland WD is in the Westside Subbasin and the Westlands WD GSA. DWR #5-022.09
