Reclamation District 537 approved to withdraw from West Sacramento flood‑control JPA

Reclamation District 900’s board on June 5 approved a resolution allowing Reclamation District 537 to withdraw from the West Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (West Safeco) joint powers authority. The board voted unanimously to authorize the withdrawal after staff said RD 537 is no longer inside West Sacramento city limits and neither owes nor is owed funds by the agency.

The board’s general manager said RD 537 left the city limits in 2020 and that Reclamation District 900 has managed the levee systems within the city since then. “RD 537 is no longer within the city limits, back in 2020,” the general manager said, adding that RD 900 has been maintaining the levees and that previously advanced funds had been repaid.

The nut graf: the withdrawal ends RD 537’s formal participation in the West Safeco JPA but, according to staff, does not change the JPA’s obligations to operate and maintain levees inside the city. Staff said the Central Valley Flood Board reviewed the request and indicated the JPA remains responsible for its obligations.

In discussion, trustees asked whether the departure would create funding gaps for West Safeco. Staff replied that because RD 900 and the city will continue to participate and because RD 900 has been maintaining the levees since 2020, there were no immediate funding shortfalls tied to RD 537’s exit. The board noted the withdrawal will be considered by the City Council and the West Safeco board at their upcoming meetings.

The motion to approve the withdrawal was moved and seconded by trustees on the record; the board recorded all aye votes and the item passed. The board did not receive public comment objecting to the withdrawal at the meeting.

The board’s action will be processed with parallel consideration at the West Sacramento City Council and West Safeco, per staff.