Watermaster reports money judgment and collection steps for delinquent basin assessments
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Summary
Watermaster staff told the Fox Canyon board that collections actions for 2023 delinquent basin assessments resulted in a money judgment and authority to pursue liens or allocation transfers; a handful of WMIDs remain delinquent and staff plans further motions to collect 2024 delinquencies (about $70,000).
Dr. Farai Kasecki, presenting for Watermaster staff at the Fox Canyon board meeting on March 25, reported on enforcement actions regarding delinquent basin assessments for water year 2023.
Kasecki told the board that the agency adopted a $65 per acre‑foot allocation in December 2023 and issued invoices in February. When assessments became delinquent (one month after the due date), staff pursued remedies under the judgment that governs Watermaster operations. As of a court ruling on a motion served in late February, the court issued a money judgment in Watermaster’s favor and authorized transfer of allocations or other remedies if conditions were not met within six months.
Kasecki reported that a small number of WMIDs remain outstanding: three WMIDs owe a combined $3,144 (about $2,222 in basin assessments and $922 in interest) and attorney fees of $3,575 are due. He said two WMIDs settled before the motion hearing and one settled after the ruling. Staff plans to file motions to collect water‑year 2024 delinquencies, which currently total just over $70,000, and to enforce failures to report groundwater extraction.
Kasecki said the agency created templates during the first enforcement action that will allow it to move more quickly on subsequent cases. He told stakeholders how to check delinquencies on the Watermaster website.
No board vote was required on this informational item; staff described enforcement steps and next steps for collection and compliance.
Quotes: “This puts an unfair burden on the rest of the water right holders,” Kasecki said of delinquent assessments. “We think we can move a little bit faster, in making sure that we get compliance.”
What to watch: staff’s planned motions to collect 2024 delinquencies and any additional court action to enforce noncompliance with reporting requirements.
