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Arroyo Grande council directs staff to prepare ballot measure to repeal Measure A and allow purchase of State Water
Summary
The Arroyo Grande City Council voted unanimously March 10 to direct staff to prepare ballot language to repeal a 1990 voter restriction (Measure A) and to enable the city to purchase State Water outside declared local emergencies; council also found directing staff exempt from CEQA and set next steps for contract and outreach work.
The Arroyo Grande City Council on March 10 unanimously directed staff to prepare draft ballot language to repeal Measure A (approved Nov. 6, 1990) and to clarify the city’s authority to buy State Water without waiting for a locally declared water emergency.
Mayor Karen Ray Russin moved the direction and Council Member Guthrie seconded; roll-call votes were recorded in favor. The motion also instructed staff to return to council on June 9 with contract details and proposed ballot language and included a CEQA finding that preparing the measure is not a project subject to CEQA.
Why it matters: staff and utility officials said the change would give Arroyo Grande operational flexibility to budget for and, if needed, acquire State Water in advance of crises. Assistant City Manager and Public Works Director Bill Robeson told council the authority “provides operational flexibility versus the current structure, which limits purchases to periods of locally declared water emergencies.” Utilities Manager Shane Taylor said county and district partners currently hold unused State Water entitlements that could be available to purchase.
What the council heard: City Attorney Rosen and City Manager Matt Downing explained legal ambiguity in Measure A’s language. Rosen said the term “participate” in the 1990 measure could reasonably be read to include purchases made by proxy (for example, buying water from a district that holds State Water contracts). Rosen recommended clarifying that ambiguity by repealing the measure and replacing it with explicit council-authorized authority to acquire State Water outside emergency declarations.
Staff next steps: staff described a three-part path — re-engage sellers (San Luis Obispo County, Oceano Community Services District or other contractors), refine feasibility and outreach messaging and return on June 9 with draft language and contracts. Robeson and Utilities Manager Shane Taylor said temporary or multiyear purchases (for example, 2–5 year agreements) are possible and that permanent purchases historically prompted voter approval requirements for the city.
Budget and logistics: Robeson said prior council direction in 2024 deferred a State Water ballot measure to 2026 to allow more public outreach. Taylor noted variability: county entitlement figures and State Water Project allocations fluctuate with drought and regulatory decisions; he said the county has a large theoretical entitlement (roughly 25,000 acre-feet) and that OCSD’s 750-acre-foot contract is more than that district currently needs.
What council members said: several council members described the action as a proactive resilience measure. Council member Guthrie said State Water “has become a much more dependable” option than historically believed, and other council members emphasized negotiating leverage and preparedness.
The council’s direction does not obligate immediate purchases; instead it authorizes staff to prepare a voter measure that, if later approved by voters, would allow the city to acquire State Water under clarified terms.
