The Sweetwater Authority Board of Directors met March 1 for a strategic planning workshop to review a midyear status report on the agency’s detailed work plan and to give staff policy direction for the FY 2025–26 work plan and budget process.

The General Manager briefed the board on progress against the authority’s goals for water quality, system reliability, financial viability, customer service and environmental stewardship and asked directors for direction on priorities to carry into the next fiscal year budget and work plan.

Staff reported progress across multiple capital and program areas and highlighted items where the schedule or funding status needs board attention. Notable topics and staff updates included:

- Central Wheeler storage tank: staff reported design and procurement progress but the board pressed for clearer language distinguishing “construction complete” from “commissioned/operational.” Directors asked staff to add related milestones (including pressure‑regulating valve work for affected customers) so public expectations match project schedule and commissioning activities.

- PFAS sampling and treatment planning: the board heard that the Authority has completed quarterly testing and is planning a preliminary design and pilot study for PFAS treatment at the Purisima/Purdue water treatment plant; staff said additional forensic sampling and regulatory developments will affect final timing and cost decisions.

- Laboratory and instrumentation: the Authority’s laboratory has achieved TNI (NELAC Institute) accreditation and staff are implementing a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS); a recently procured mass spectrometer has been delivered and installation will be completed once a vendor part arrives; certification under environmental lab rules remains a follow‑up task.

- SCADA and operational controls: design work to replace programmable logic controllers and to modernize mobile operator rounds is under way; staff noted that a five‑year SCADA contract expires in 2026 and recommended initiating procurement for a new integrator next fiscal year.

- Iron/manganese removal and reservoir work: contracts are in place for the iron/manganese project and staff expect a notice to proceed; the Bonita Valley reservoir residual control system procurement was awarded and permitting/commissioning was described as next steps.

- Desalination master planning and Reynolds project: staff proposed procuring a consultant to develop a master plan for the desalination/desal facility and to complete feasibility work; Reynolds/City of San Diego cost‑share discussions remain active.

- Customer outreach and AMI: staff summarized recent outreach and low‑income assistance work, noted the Authority did not receive an AMI grant this round, and asked for board direction on whether to pursue more aggressive, targeted outreach (for example by neighborhood or demographic group) to improve program participation.

Directors pressed for clearer budget status columns and for a table of contents and acronym glossary in the work‑plan packet to make the document easier to use. Director Castaneda asked staff to examine private or single‑service easements in development projects to protect ratepayers from inheriting privately funded infrastructure costs; staff agreed to add that topic for consideration in the FY 2025–26 planning process.

General Manager: “This is our road map; we will bring a draft FY 2025–26 detailed work plan and budget back to the board and present a final proposal for approval in June,” staff said. Directors signaled crosscutting priorities—PFAS work, asset management and outreach—and asked staff to return with more cost detail and clarified timelines for projects recommended for FY 2025–26.

Ending: Staff will return with a draft five‑year financial plan and the revised detailed work plan in April and will follow the Authority’s budget workshops and May/June board meetings to finalize the FY 2025–26 work plan and budget.