Committee tables Tiller Canal rehabilitation and pump‑station request pending sponsor matching funds

The committee considered a request from the Tiller Canal District for rehabilitation of a pump station and related improvements. Staff summarized the district’s small scale (12 irrigators across about 38 acres), the condition of portable pumps and flex piping, and concerns about whether the sponsor could carry a loan or secure matching funds. The sponsor (Cole Hill, district president) confirmed ongoing efforts to secure WaterSMART or NRCS funds and to increase local assessments if necessary.

After discussion about bridge/"carrier" loan options and hardship criteria (staff noted statute allows up to 75% in hardship cases), the commission voted to table the request to the January meeting to give the sponsor and staff time to explore additional funding avenues, possible hardship relief and to present updated financial options.

Next steps: the director and sponsor will pursue WaterSMART/NRCS and other funding options, evaluate whether a hardship grant or partial forgiveness applies, and present an updated proposal in January. The commission asked staff to explore bridge‑loan mechanics and the sponsor’s ability to provide partial match if needed.

Why this matters: the project ranks highly by rehabilitation priority, but is constrained by sponsor affordability; tabling preserves the project for reconsideration while avoiding use of scarce state construction funds without a viable match.