Agency advances draft metering-exemption ordinance tied to county certificate process

At the April 24 meeting staff presented a draft well‑metering exemption ordinance that would let well owners obtain an exemption by producing a County of Ventura certificate of exemption following an inspection by a certified inspector.

Julia described the proposed approach: the agency would rely on the county’s certificate process and track the certificate expiration date in its database rather than require an annual exemption filing. "They get a certificate of exemption from the county, but those exemptions that the county issues are good for 5 years," counsel Peter said, and staff proposed marking the expiry date in the agency intake system so renewals are triggered when needed.

Key policy points discussed included whether exempt wells should continue to submit quarterly extraction statements or instead file annually, whether exempt wells should be assessed only the wellhead and recordation fees rather than extraction fees, and whether the agency should charge an application fee to cover staff review time. Some board members favored collecting the wellhead fee upfront to avoid repeated annual administration costs.

Peter outlined an administrative path: adopt the ordinance (first reading), then set the exemption form and any fee by board resolution so staff can adjust fees or form fields without repeating the ordinance process. The board directed staff to return the draft with changes incorporated at the next board meeting for a public hearing and a second reading as required.

No final ordinance was adopted at this meeting; the matter will return for formal hearing and potential final action.