The Central Arizona Water Conservation District Board (CAWCD) met Thursday, June 6 at Central Arizona Project’s (CAP’s) north Phoenix headquarters. The Board approved the Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Agreement. The agreement, if approved by all parties and funded by Congress, will provide water supply certainty in the Colorado River and Little Colorado River watersheds, in relation to the tribal water right claims. It will also fund the infrastructure needed to provide drinking water supplies to members of the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe and San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe.

“Congratulations to all parties involved for finding a path forward to protect our shared resource in the Colorado River,” said Brenda Burman, CAP General Manager.

Regarding tax rates, the Board voted to:

• Fix the CAWCD General Ad Valorem Tax rate at ten cents per $100 of assessed valuation for the 2024/25 tax year
• Fix the CAWCD Water Storage Tax rate at four cents per $100 of net assessed valuation for the 2024/25 tax year
• Adopt a resolution determining that all of the Water Storage Tax levied in tax year 2024/25 is required for CAP repayment or annual operations, maintenance and replacement costs, including CAWCD costs for the Arizona Water Banking Authority Municipal & Industrial (M&I) firming
• Approve the CAP 2025-2030 Water Rate Schedule
• Authorize the collection of CAGRD Annual Membership Dues during tax year 2024/25
• Approve the CAGRD Rate Schedule for 2024/25 through 2029/30
• Adopt the Underground Water Storage Operations & Maintenance and Underground Water Storage Capital Charge Rate Schedule for 2025 through 2030

Following a report from the CAGRD and Underground Storage Committee meeting, the Board adopted a Member Service Agreement between CAWCD and Global Water, which has applied to the Arizona Department of Water Resources for a Designation of Assured Water Supply for Farmers Water Company in Sahuarita, Ariz.

The Board additionally heard presentations on water operations, Colorado River conditions and Colorado River discussions.

The CAWCD Board of Directors is a popularly elected, 15-member board. Ten members are from Maricopa County, four from Pima County and one from Pinal County. Members serve six-year, unpaid terms. The board typically meets publicly the first Thursday of each month to establish policy and set rates and taxes for CAP. Meetings are open to the public – in person and via livestream.

For additional details on the June 6, 2024 board meeting, take a look at the agenda. Board minutes and video will be posted here, as well.