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Fox Canyon GMA adopts FY 2025–26 budgets, directs priority on new database and improved public access
Summary
The Fox Canyon GMA board approved the agency and Watermaster budgets for FY 2025–26, reduced the per‑acre‑foot sustainability fee, and directed staff to prioritize a new data management system; the board requested the incoming executive officer return with a specific plan and scheduled a six‑month fiscal review.
The Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency board on July 23 adopted the agency's fiscal year 2025–26 budget, approved the Watermaster budget and a $60 per acre‑foot assessment, and directed staff to prioritize creation of a new database and improved public access to agency information.
Board members discussed staffing, recruitment and retention under Assembly Bill 256 before moving to a lengthy budget review. Jeff Palmer, interim executive officer, told the board the agency had operated with many vacancies earlier in 2025 and that the executive officer position was filled with a start date of Aug. 11. "We should have that position filled with a full time, dedicated executive officer running the agency," Palmer said during the staffing update.
During the budget debate, several directors pressed for a high priority on modernizing recordkeeping and public access. Director Lynn argued the agency's current database and public portal are "antiquated" and urged funding and an internal data specialist to own the work. Director Michael said technical tools such as organizational "copilot" AI or improved database programming could reduce staff labor on semiannual extraction statements and make public information easier to obtain.
Director Tony (surname not recorded in transcript) moved a multipart motion that the board: adopt the FY 2025–26 FCGMA budget; direct staff to prioritize building a new database and improved public access during FY 2025–26; request that the incoming executive officer return with specific recommendations and a course of action as soon as possible; and ask the fiscal committee to review progress at the midyear six‑month budget review. The motion, amended in discussion to reference "new database and improved access to information," carried on roll call.
The board also approved canceling the fourth quarterly installment for FY 2024–25 (Resolution 2025‑04) after staff said anticipated expenses were lower than projected and a repayment of a previous operating advance was completed in this budget. The Watermaster budget was adopted and Resolution 2025‑05 set the coming year's Watermaster assessment at $60 per acre‑foot, a reduction of nearly $5 from the prior year.
Directors emphasized next steps. Several asked that the new executive officer return promptly with detailed recommendations and a timetable for procurement, benchmarking, staffing (for example, a data‑science or GIS specialist), and community user testing. Chair West and other directors noted an operating reserve and designated surcharge funds exist that could be used to support data modernization if the executive officer recommends it.
Public commenters, including water‑district representatives, praised the budget's transparency and the fee reduction and urged continued regional coordination on grants and storage opportunities during above‑normal precipitation conditions.
Formal board outcomes recorded at the meeting include adoption of the FY 2025–26 FCGMA budget with related direction on the database priority; adoption of the Watermaster budget; adoption of Resolution 2025‑04 cancelling a prior quarter installment for FY 2024–25; and adoption of Resolution 2025‑05 setting the Watermaster assessment at $60 per acre‑foot.
