The Central Arizona Water Conservation District Board (CAWCD) met Thursday, March 7 at CAP Headquarters. The meeting began with a brief recap of this week’s Colorado River news regarding near-term and long-term Colorado River operations. CAWCD Board President Terry Goddard and CAP General Manager Brenda Burman also recognized five employees celebrating 25 years of service and one reaching 20 years of service. President Goddard gave a reminder that the April 4 CAWCD Board meeting will be held in Florence, Ariz., at the Pinal County Administrative Complex.

At the recommendation of the CAGRD and Underground Storage Committee, the Board approved the planned and potentially available water supplies for use in the 2025 CAGRD Plan of Operations, which will be submitted to the Arizona Department of Water Resources by the end of this year. The two main pillars of the plan are the projections of potential CAGRD replenishment obligation and the planned and potentially available water supplies approved today.

After a report from the Finance, Audit and Power Committee, the Board approved a revised CAP rate-setting policy that moves the recommendation and final rate recommendation to May and June so that it follows Reclamation’s 24-Month Study. A similar item was also approved for a revised CAGRD rate-setting policy.

The Board additionally heard a presentations on:

• Water operations
• Colorado River conditions

On Consent Agenda, the Board approved several items:

• Design and Pre-Construction Services Contract for the Electro-Mechanical Relay Replacement Project Phase 2 at Brady, Picacho, and Red Rock Pumping Plants
• Construction Contract for the Roof Replacement Project at Black Mountain and Snyder Hill Pumping Plants
• Professional Services Contract for the SCADA Replacement Project at Headquarters
• Equipment Procurement Contract for the System-Wide SCADA Replacement Project
• Additional Contract Authority on Equipment Purchase Contract for Backup Power Project at Checks and Turnouts
• Contract for Security Services at CAP Headquarters and Remote Locations
• Purchase Contract for Heavy Equipment Replacement of Backhoe and Dozer
• Purchase Contract for Heavy Equipment Replacement of Four Water Trucks
• Purchase Contract for Two Truck Mounted Spray Systems

Additionally, the Board approved a Recovery Funding Agreement Amendment between CAWCD and Southern Nevada Water Authority, Recovery Exchange Agreement Amendment between CAWCD and Arizona Water Company, and Letter Agreement Confirming Term Modification with Arizona Water Banking Authority, CAWCD, SNWA, and Colorado River Commission of Nevada.

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 March 7, 2024 board meeting, take a look at the agenda. Board minutes and video will be posted here, as well.