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San Diego County Water Authority board member briefs council on agricultural rate subsidy discussions
Summary
Rick Paul, San Diego County Water Authority board member, briefed the council on discussions about subsidized agricultural rates, said staff are seeking funding options and forming a subcommittee with the Farm Bureau and area managers.
Rick Paul, the City's representative to the San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA), gave a brief update to the Escondido City Council on agricultural water-rate issues and regional water topics.
Paul said the SDCWA has historically subsidized agricultural water rates and that staff had considered canceling the program. He said staff and the Farm Bureau are meeting to identify funding options and that a subcommittee of area managers will be created to seek a consensus solution. "I'll use the word 'subsidize' water rates to agricultural businesses," Paul said when explaining the program.
Why it matters: Agricultural rates are set across multiple agencies and can affect rate structures for other customers. Council members asked questions about the number of participating agencies and local impacts; Paul said 11 agencies participate in the program and that Valley Center receives the largest agricultural allocation.
Follow-up: Paul offered to answer additional questions about topics such as Metropolitan relations, the Delta conveyance and agricultural rates in future updates. No council action was requested or taken on this presentation.
Ending: Council thanked Paul for the update and did not schedule formal follow-up at this meeting.
