To: Board of Supervisors
From: Supervisor McGourty
Meeting Date: June 8, 2021
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Department Contact: |
Supervisor McGourty |
Phone: |
463-4441 |
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Department Contact: |
Steve Dunnicliff |
Phone: |
463-4441 |
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Item Type: Regular Agenda |
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Time Allocated for Item: 30 Min |
Agenda Title:
title
Discussion and Possible Action Regarding the Re-Establishment of the Mendocino County Water Agency as a Stand-Alone Agency with Additional Capacity for Public Health and Safety Issues Related to Drought Response and other Critical Tasks
(Sponsor: Supervisor McGourty)
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Recommended Action/Motion:
recommendation
Direct the Executive Office to proceed with re-establishing the Mendocino County Water Agency as a stand-alone agency; identify funding in FY 21-22 to complete a work plan for the Agency, determine staffing resources necessary to address the Water Agency’s critical responsibilities, including health and safety issues related to the drought and other key tasks, pursue interim staffing capacity as necessary for interim enhanced operations, and prioritize completion of a competitive process to identify contract assistance for this effort.
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Previous Board/Board Committee Actions:
The Board adopted a Resolution on April 20, declaring a drought emergency, which through Chapter 7.10 of Mendocino County Code urges all water users in the County to reduce usage by 20%, and requests all local water suppliers to implement their local water shortage contingency plans.
Summary of Request:
The Mendocino County Water Agency (MCWA) is a special district governed by the Board of Supervisors, sitting as the Board of Directors. The special district was originally established by an act of the State in 1949, to provide a mechanism for local participation in the construction of Coyote Dam on the East Fork of the Russian River. District revenue is generated from a tax that was established in 1971, which does not exceed $0.06 per $100 of assessed valuation. The County Department of Public Works administered the district until 1987, when State legislation amended the original act and created the Mendocino County Water Agency. The MCWA adopted an independent identity between 1987 and 2011. In 2011, the MCWA was again integrated into an existing department. In 2021, with the County facing its third drought in 10 years, it is recommended the Water Agency be re-established as a stand-alone agency with additional capacity for public health & safety issues related to drought response and other critical tasks. It is estimated that the annual cost of a stand-alone Water Agency to be covered by General Fund or grants would be $640,000. Board direction is requested regarding the re-establishment of the Water Agency as a stand-alone entity, completion of a countywide work plan for the Water Agency which can assist with identification of priority workload and appropriate staffing resources, use of interim staffing capacity to assist with drought response, and the prioritization of a competitive process to procure contract assistance for these tasks.
Alternative Action/Motion:
Provide direction to staff.
Supervisorial District: All
vote requirement: Majority
Supplemental Information Available Online At: https://www.mendocinocounty.org/government/transportation/mendocino-county-water-agency/drought-water-conservation
Fiscal Details:
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source of funding: TBD |
budgeted in current f/y: No |
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current f/y cost: TBD |
if no, please describe: |
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annual recurring cost: Est $638,000 |
revenue agreement: No |
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budget clarification: The Water Agency receives approximately $170,000 in dedicated tax revenue; this tax revenue is typically augmented with grant revenue. For FY 21-22, an additional $45,000 in General Fund was requested to support State mandated priority work. It is estimated that direction to proceed with this item would increase that expense in FY 21-22 by approximately $350,000, with an annual recurring cost of approximately $640,000 for a stand-alone Water Agency. |
Agreement/Resolution/Ordinance Approved by County Counsel: N/A
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CEO Liaison: Executive Office |
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CEO Review: Yes |
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CEO Comments:
FOR COB USE ONLY
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Executed By: Atlas Pearson, Deputy Clerk I |
Final Status:Approved with Modification |
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Date: June 9, 2021 |
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