Funding the Vina GSA
Fee Study 2024/2025
In 2023, a uniform fee structure was adopted by the GSA’s Board of Directors as a strategic first step to secure necessary funding for the Vina GSA’s management, operations, and SGMA compliance costs. Currently, the fee is charged to all taxable lands within the GSA boundary regardless of land use type and is calculated based on the assessed acreage indicated on the property tax bill. The fee for the fiscal year 2023/2024 was $1.54 per acre and fiscal year 2024/2025 is $2.54 per acre.
A new fee study began in 2024 to explore additional fee options that consider the diverse needs and characteristics of different groundwater users within the subbasin. Additional information and opportunities to learn more are listed in the FAQ.
GSA Fee and Assessor’s Acreage Discrepancies
The Vina GSA received reports of incorrect fees on some tax bills. The GSA investigated and found that the discrepancies were caused by the consultant's reliance on GIS parcel data instead of the assessor's acreage. The great news is that the majority of the fees were not affected by this data and remain correct, because the acreage was consistent or the slight differences in acreage had minimal effect on the fee charged.
In cases where the parcel was overcharged by $5.00 or more, the Vina GSA submitted fee corrections to the Auditor’s office and updated tax bills were mailed to landowners prior to the December 10th tax payment deadline. If a landowner has already paid their tax bill, then appropriate adjustments will be reflected on your 2024/2025 tax bill.
All fee descrepancies, including "refunds" for overcharges will be adjusted on your 2024/2025 tax bill.
To avoid further confusion, future fee charges will be based on the assessed acreage indicated on the property tax bill. All tax bills will be corrected for the 2024/2025 tax roll.
We apologize for the confusion and any inconvenience.
2023 Fee Report
The Fee Report describes the basis for the Vina GSA's proposed fee to each assessable parcel within the Vina GSA jurisdiction in order to provide groundwater management services in compliance with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA).
The Fee Report describes the basis for the Vina GSA's proposed fee to each assessable parcel within the Vina GSA jurisdiction in order to provide groundwater management services in compliance with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA).
2023 Technical Memorandum
The Technical Memorandum (TM) summarizes the long-term funding needs and funding options considered to facilitate the approval of a long-term funding mechanism to support the GSA and GSP implementation and SGMA compliance activities. The funding options considered included: 1) uniform cost, resulting in a fee per acre, 2) irrigated/non-irrigated fee, and 3) land use hybrid options. The (TM) also discusses other options considered, but eliminated from further review.
The Technical Memorandum (TM) summarizes the long-term funding needs and funding options considered to facilitate the approval of a long-term funding mechanism to support the GSA and GSP implementation and SGMA compliance activities. The funding options considered included: 1) uniform cost, resulting in a fee per acre, 2) irrigated/non-irrigated fee, and 3) land use hybrid options. The (TM) also discusses other options considered, but eliminated from further review.
2023 Vina GSA Notice of Public Hearing to Adopt Proposed Fee
Click here for more information about the Public Hearing.
Click here for more information about the Public Hearing.
