Fox Canyon agency adopts reduced groundwater extraction fee of $24 per acre-foot

The Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency on Aug. 27 adopted Resolution 2025-06 setting the groundwater extraction sustainability fee at $24 per acre-foot for the upcoming water year, down from an earlier $29 figure.

The executive officer said the fiscal committee recommended the reduced rate based on current budget projections and a desire to avoid collecting surplus funds from stakeholders. “We will collect $24, vice $29 for the upcoming water year as a sustainability fee,” the executive officer said during the presentation.

The agency’s staff said the $24 rate is intended as an interim measure; the resolution directs staff to complete detailed out-year budget projections and return with a recommendation that could keep the fee at $24, revert it to $29 or propose a different amount. The presentation said the reduced fee is intended to be fair to stakeholders while limiting the agency’s surplus.

Board members asked no substantive questions during the discussion and formally moved to adopt the resolution. The board conducted a roll-call vote; the minutes record affirmative votes from Chair West, Director Mulhart, Director Jones, Director Calvillo and Director Long. The chair announced the motion carried.

The resolution was introduced during the regular meeting and adopted by the agency; staff will return with detailed budget projections before any further change to the fee is made.