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Commission hears that reimbursement timing, not lack of work, has driven temporary deficit
Summary
Commission staff and consultants told the Tehama County Groundwater Commission that current cash shortfalls reflect reimbursement timing rather than unperformed work and that pending DWR amendments will determine whether the district can extend deadlines for some grant components.
During the same Tehama County Groundwater Commission meeting (date not specified), staff and consultants addressed the district’s near-term budget and grant cash-flow issues.
Deputy Director Justin Jensen said the district has experienced a reimbursement timing issue that created a temporary deficit but reported that a reimbursement check for more than $1,000,000 had arrived and additional reimbursement claims are in the queue. "I did get a very large greater than $1,000,000 reimbursement check yesterday," Jensen said, adding that other reimbursements could move the district back into a positive cash position once processed.
Consultant Jacques Dubre described the grant portfolio and said that proposed amendments from DWR would be required to shift deadlines on some components. He stressed that the Red Bluff construction account cannot be amended and therefore "All funds must be spent by March 31, 2026," creating a scheduling pressure for construction and equipment purchases.
Commissioners and staff discussed that some grant agreements are amendable while others are not, and that clarity from DWR (including separate reviews by a financial division) is pending. Staff said they have requested contact with DWR program staff to confirm the status of amendment requests.
A member of the public earlier urged more transparency on the district’s budget, claiming a negative balance and highlighting questions about billing and overhead. Staff responded repeatedly that the numbers described by the speaker reflected timing of reimbursements and that more documentation would be provided in board packets and posted deliverables.
No formal financial action was taken at the meeting; staff said they will continue to pursue pending reimbursements, post supporting documents and seek clarity from DWR on amendment approvals.
