Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the State Water Project topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council clears measure to let Arroyo Grande consider State Water Project participation without repeated voter approval
Summary
Council approved placing a ballot measure that would repeal earlier 1990 and 2016 measures and authorize the city to consider participation in the California State Water Project without requiring future voter approval; council members said the measure preserves an option to improve long‑term water resilience.
Arroyo Grande City Council voted to place a measure on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot that would repeal and replace Measures A (1990) and E16 (2016) and authorize the city to participate in the California State Water Project without requiring additional voter approval each time participation is considered.
Staff explained the measure's purpose is to provide the city with another supply source to consider as part of long‑term reliability planning. "The proposed measure would repeal and replace Measure A (1990) and Measure E16 (2016) and authorize participation in the California State Water Project without requiring additional voter approval before future participation decisions," staff said in the presentation.
Council members discussed past local votes on state water, the potential costs and benefits of participation, and the ballot language. Several members said the city needs options to protect water reliability amid litigation and changing conditions. "Diversifying and strengthening our water portfolio is just an absolute for sure," one council member said.
Council directed staff to place the measure on the ballot, adopt the proposed ordinance language subject to voter approval, and designated two council members to prepare a pro‑argument for the voter guide. The motion to place the measure on the Nov. 3 ballot passed on a roll call vote with all members voting yes.
Next steps: the city will proceed with the required filings and the impartial analysis for the voter information materials; if voters approve, the ordinance language would authorize future participation decisions without returning to the voters each time.
