Title
Consider adopting the Integrated Planning Forum Concept and establish an ad hoc committee to guide development and implementation of the forum.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Monterey County Water Resources Agency Board of Supervisors:
Adopt the Integrated Planning Forum Concept and establish an ad hoc committee to guide development and implementation of the forum.
DISCUSSION:
On June 25, 2026, the County Administrative Office submitted to the Superior Court the joint County of Monterey and Monterey County Water Resources Agency (Agency) response to the 2025-2026 Monterey County Civil Grand Jury (CGJ) report titled “Seawater Intrusion - A Shared Problem in Monterey County” (Report). Today’s consideration stems from the Board of Supervisors (BOS) commitment to the CGJ to respond to Report Recommendation #3 by June 30, 2027, by providing a status report back to the BOS regarding development of a recommended funding strategy that considers an array of water management challenges currently faced by various water management entities in Monterey County.
More specifically, the BOS proposed to establish, through the Agency, a forum for integrating water management planning and development to move beyond isolated planning efforts and, instead, develop a strategy that more comprehensively addresses water supply reliability, flood management, groundwater sustainability, ecosystem needs, and long-term economic stability for our communities. Since the June CGJ response, Agency staff have been examining planning efforts in other areas of the state, e.g. the Water Blueprint for the San Joaquin Valley, spoken with other key interests, e.g. the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency, and drafted a description of what an integrated planning forum might try to achieve and how - see attached DRAFT - MC Water Integrated Water Development Planning Forum - 09-28-26.
This recommendation aligns Goals B and C of the draft Strategic Plan goals approved by the Agency Board of Directors on September 21: Program and Infrastructure Reliability and Water Resources Planning. By leading and participating in an integrated planning forum, the Agency would directly advance both goals. This would be accomplished by supporting collaborative, science-based planning for sustainable and cost-effective water resource solutions that ensure safe, reliable programs and infrastructure. The effort also embodies the Strategic Plan's core values, with particular emphasis on leadership and expertise, stewardship, and collaboration.
To initiate the integrated planning forum, staff request two actions from the BOS. First, staff propose that the BOS establish an ad hoc committee comprised of two Supervisors and two Directors to provide the Agency guidance regarding development and implementation of the integrated planning forum. Second, that the BOS provide feedback on the draft forum description and purpose, enabling staff to return with an estimated budget for initiation in fiscal-year 2027. Funding needs and mechanisms for fiscal-year 2028 and beyond would be identified through the spring budget development process.
On October 7, 2026, the item was heard by the Agency Planning Committee which was then recommended to be heard by the Board of Directors on October 19th.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
The above recommendation aligns with the Board of Directors adopted 2020 Strategic Plan Goal B, Strategies 2 & 5; and Goal C, Strategy 6.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT/COMMITTEE ACTIONS:
The County of Monterey County Administrative Office
FINANCING:
Forming an ad hoc committee will have no fiscal impact on the Agency’ approved FY27 budget. Potential funding sources for staffing and consultant support to initiate Integrated Water Development Planning Forum are still being developed.
Prepared and Approved by: Ara Azhderian, General Manager Attachments:
County of Monterey - Monterey County Water Resources Agency Joint Response to 2025-2026
CGJ Report re: Seawater Intrusion - A Shared Problem in Monterey County