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Advisory board reviews audits, Blackwater feasibility work and drought-planning grant; staff to deliver written updates
Summary
Mariposa County water advisory board discussed audit findings, consultant task orders for feasibility work (Blackwater), balances in settlement and agency funds, and drought-resiliency grant activity; staff promised written reports and asked for extensions as needed.
Mariposa County staff and the Water Agency Advisory Board reviewed recent audit results, consultant progress on feasibility work, and planning for the state-funded drought-resiliency grant.
The meeting included an update that county counsel retained Charles Rivers and Associates to audit historical settlement revenues; the auditor’s report found deposited amounts consistent with records. Board members raised questions about how settlement funds are held and whether they earn interest.
Key financial details discussed - Water agency fund balance: staff reported approximately $209,000 in the water agency fund managed by Public Works. - MIT settlement fund: staff reported roughly $30,000 remaining in a settlement-related fund; some of that amount may be restricted by county counsel. - NID settlement fund: meeting documents referenced approximately $397,000 and an anticipated $250,000 annual payment (figures span several fiscal years and were presented as historical totals in the meeting).
Consultant work and feasibility studies - Blackwater (consultant) has been engaged under a multi-task scope. Task 1 was completed; Task 2 (scoping and groundwater intrusion analysis) remained in progress with about 12 hours of work reported as outstanding. Task 3, if pursued, would be a single detailed feasibility study of a selected project. - The board requested written copies of Blackwater’s updated scoping study and asked that consultants attend the next meeting to present findings.
Drought-resiliency planning grant - The board discussed a Drought Resiliency Planning Assistance Program grant (approximately $125,000 was identified for planning work). Sierra Foothill Conservancy is identified in the draft grant agreement as a partner for outreach in the plan. - Staff said a draft extension to the state can be requested because the plan is not yet complete; the board asked staff to pursue an extension if needed and to accelerate a consultant procurement so an outline can be available at the March meeting.
Water districts and rate studies - County staff said audit deliverables would be forwarded to Bartle Wells (the consultant) to begin a rate study for districts including Don Pedro and Coulterville. Supervisors and board members urged timely community outreach and town halls once the rate study inputs are ready.
Action items - Staff (Public Works) to provide written updates on fund balances, the Blackwater scoping update and the drought plan consultant proposal, and to notify the board when any extension from the state is secured. - Blackwater expected to complete remaining scoping work before the next meeting; staff asked the consultant to attend the June meeting for a presentation.
Quotes “The report essentially says that [the deposited amounts] are correct,” said a county staff representative summarizing the Charles Rivers and Associates audit.
Ending Board members stressed the need for written backup materials at future meetings so members can review graphs, budgets and consultant deliverables in advance. Staff agreed to circulate documents and to coordinate consultant presentations.
