Title
Consider a recommendation from the Monterey County Water Resources Agency (MCWRA) Board of Directors to nominate Supervisor Glenn Church as the Primary Director and MCWRA Director John Baillie as the Alternate, to serve on the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency’s Board of Directors for a three-year term commencing June 30, 2026 through June 30, 2029.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that Board of Supervisors nominate Supervisor Glenn Church as the Primary Director and Monterey County Water Resources Agency Director John Baillie as the Alternate, to serve on the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency’s Board of Directors for a three-year term commencing June 30, 2026 through June 30, 2029.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement (JPA) establishing the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (SVBGSA) (excerpt attached) provides for a permanent Board of Directors and the nominating process for each Primary and Alternate Director. Section 6.5(c) provides representatives of the County of Monterey, the Monterey County Water Resources Agency, and the Monterey One Water Joint Powers Authority opportunity to nominate persons to serve as Primary and Alternate Directors to the SVBGSA. Per Exhibit B of the JPA, the County of Monterey Board of Supervisors is the “Appointing Authority”, which, “…shall appoint the nominee (if only one) or appoint from among the nominees;…” (§6.5(c)(iv).
Supervisor Church and Director Baillie currently serve as Primary and Alternate Directors, respectively, to the SVBGSA and have demonstrated knowledge and commitment to the organization and its mission to protect and sustain groundwater resources that support the people, communities, and economy of Monterey County. On February 3, 2026, the County of Monterey Board of Supervisors took action to re-approve the appointments of Supervisor Church and Director Baillie to the SVBGSA. Their current terms expire on June 30, 2026. On May 18, 2026, the Monterey County Water Resources Agency Board of Directors took action to renominate Supervisor Church and Director Baillie to serve an additional three-year term, ending on June 30, 2029.
The SVBGSA is the process of formulating “portfolios” of projects based upon several recently completed feasibility studies to help inform potential future actions that will be described in updates to its six Groundwater Sustainability Plans, which are due to the Department of Water Resources in January 2027. To meet this deadline, the SVBGSA is engaged in an intense planning and decision-making effort, which will benefit from the specialized knowledge and experience that Supervisor Church and Director Baillie possess.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The recommended action was supported by the Monterey County Water Resources Agency Board of Directors during its meeting on May 18, 2026.
FINANCING:
The recommended action has no financial impact to the General Fund.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS:
__X__ Well-Being and Quality of Life
__X__ Sustainable Infrastructure for the Present and Future
____ Safe and Resilient Communities
____ Diverse and Thriving Economy
Prepared and Approved by: Ara Azhderian, General Manager, (831) 755-4860