TO: Napa County Groundwater Sustainability Agency (NCGSA)
FROM: Brian D. Bordona, Director of Planning, Building & Environmental Services
REPORT BY: Jamison Crosby, Natural Resources Conservation Manager
SUBJECT: Amendment No. 2 to Agreement 230312B (NCGSA) with SCI Consulting Group
RECOMMENDATION
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Approve and authorize Amendment No. 2 to Agreement No. 230312B (NCGSA) with SCI Consulting Group, to extend the term through June 30, 2026 and increase the maximum compensation from $110,075 to $131,724, for additional services related to the fee program implementation. (Fiscal Impact: $21,649 Expense; Groundwater Sustainability Agency Special Revenue Fund; Budgeted; Discretionary)
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BACKGROUND
On January 31, 2022, the Napa Valley Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) was submitted to the Department of Water Resources (DWR) and on January 26, 2023, DWR approved it, validating the course of action laid out in the plan.
On February 8, 2022, staff made a report to the Napa County Groundwater Sustainability Agency (NCGSA) about options for funding implementation of the GSP with the recognition that while implementation grants would be sought, those grants would not be adequate to fully fund activities moving forward. The staff report put forward four options for funding ongoing operations:
1. County General Fund (current condition);
2. Special Tax approved by the voters;
3. Special Assessment approved by the voters; and/or
4. Fee. Background information on the different options were presented and discussed and the GSA Board gave the direction to staff to move forward with developing a professional services agreement to further study the options at hand.
On February 7, 2023, the NCGSA approved Agreement No. 230312B for $84,088 plus expenses to evaluate options and make recommendations for the establishment of fee, special tax or benefit assessment to fund implementation of Napa County’s Groundwater Sustainability Program and depending on the outcome of the evaluation and recommendations, to prepare a comprehensive Fee Report for the proposed programs and improvements to be funded. Work commenced to investigate options for the NCGSA to consider and work was paused while three GSP Workplans were developed and subsequently approved by the NCGSA on March 26, 2024. Additional tasks were added to the scope to develop a comprehensive database that details groundwater use on a parcel-specific basis. On August 6, 2024, the NCGSA approved Amendment No. 1 to Agreement No. 230312B extending the scope and term of the agreement to evaluate options and make recommendations for the establishment of a fee, special tax or benefit assessment. The approved term of Amendment No. 1 extends Agreement No. 230312B to December 31, 2025.
The NCGSA received presentations on September 24, 2024, and April 22, 2025, on the progress and development of a fee methodology and considerations across the Napa Valley Subbasin. At these meetings, staff received guidance to explore hybrid fees for different groundwater user groups.
Amendment No. 2 to Agreement No. 230312B would extend the term of the agreement to June 30, 2026. If approved, the agreement, which is the subject of this action, will complete the establishment of a fee to fund implementation of the GSP and the County’s overall groundwater sustainability program, including additional outreach, logistical support, and preparation of a direct charge levy roll and submittal to the Napa County Auditor’s Office. Once the fee is adopted by the NCGSA, SCI Consulting will help administer the fee program.
Requested Action: Approve and authorize Amendment No. 2 to Agreement No. 230312B with SCI Consulting Group.
FISCAL & STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
Yes |
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Is it currently budgeted? |
Yes |
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Where is it budgeted? |
2720000 |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Discretionary Justification: |
Ongoing implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) is a State requirement. |
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Is the general fund affected? |
Yes |
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Future fiscal impact: |
Fiscal impact through FY 2025-26 is as described in the amendment |
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Consequences if not approved: |
Funding for ongoing implementation of SGMA would have to come from the County General Fund. |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed action is not a project as defined by 14 California Code of Regulations 15378 (State CEQA Guidelines) and therefore CEQA is not applicable.