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Open 10:00am Public Hearing for Administrative Fee for GSA
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Requested Action(s)
recommendation
1. Open Public Hearing for Administrative Fee for GSA
2. Certify majority protest process results.
3. Close Public Hearing.
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Financial Impact:
Adopted estimated budget amounts from fee study for the 26/27year would be covered by fees collected.
Background Information:
Absent a majority protest, the Tehama GSA would consider certifying the Majority Protest process authorizing the Tehama GSA to adopt the proposed GSA Administration Fee following the Public Hearing.
Fee Notices were mailed to all landowners subject to the proposed fee on June 1, 2026, providing for a 45-day notice period in advance of the Board considering approval of proposed fees. The fees are subject to a majority protest vote whereby those receiving notices can submit written protest ballots voting against the proposed fees. If a majority protest vote is received, the Tehama GSA may not approve the proposed fees.
The Tehama GSA provided the protest form in the Notice sent to all landowners that could be subject to the proposed fee and will count protests received by the Tehama GSA up until the public hearing is closed by the Board on July 20, 2026, plus those protests received at the Tehama GSA office location. If a majority protest is not received per the protest count at the end of the public hearing, the Tehama GSA Board may certify the majority protest process results and consider approving the proposed fees in a separate Board action.
The fee applied by the Tehama GSA may vary from year to year but will not exceed the maximum fee included in the Fee Notice unless an increase in the fee is approved through a subsequent fee process proceeding. This proposed fee also provides landowners and properties with immediate SGMA compliance benefits and local representation. If the GSA is unable to operate, implement the GSP, and comply with SGMA, then the GSA may be placed in a probationary status with the state and landowners would be subject to regulation and oversight by the State Water Resources Regional Control Board (SWRCB) and would be subject to higher fees.