Lake County’s Water Resources staff asked the Board to expand the allowable uses of $500,000 in previously approved stormwater matching funds so remaining funds could support groundwater management activities required by the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) for the Big Valley Basin.

What staff said: The department showed the near‑term needs: an annual GSP reporting cost (~$40,000), a periodic five‑year evaluation (~$200,000) and a proposed feasibility study on long‑term funding (~$100,000). Staff estimated about $340,000 needed to ensure compliance through the 2027 periodic evaluation. The Board had earlier approved five years of $100,000 matching funds for stormwater projects and $450,000 remained unspent because alternative internal and grant funds had been used to date.

Why it matters: Big Valley is a medium‑priority basin under SGMA and the county must submit annual reports and periodic evaluations. Failure to maintain an active and funded GSA/GSP program risks state intervention. Staff said a predictable funding mechanism (county support, fee or special assessment) will be needed by 2027.

Board action: After public input from partners and the Big Valley Groundwater Sustainability Plan Advisory Committee, the Board voted to allow the remaining stormwater match funds to be used for groundwater management tasks and accepted the GSPAC update. Supervisors emphasized seeking grants and exploring a shared funding approach to reduce long‑term county burden.

Next steps: Staff will use the expanded fund authority for immediate reporting and the 2026 periodic evaluation work, continue applying for competitive grants, and return with a recommended funding mechanism for longer‑term sustainability.