Funding the Vina GSA

The SGMA fee helps fund local groundwater management and protect a reliable water supply for the future.

It ensures that the Vina Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) can meet its state-mandated responsibilities under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA)—while keeping decision-making local.

Why the Fee Matters

90% of the water used in the Vina Subbasin comes from groundwater
Supports local control of groundwater management
Funds essential GSA operations, monitoring, and SGMA compliance
Enables long-term planning and implementation of sustainable groundwater practices
Ensures a reliable water supply for agriculture, homes, and the environment

Background

In 2023, the Vina Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) adopted a SGMA fee to fund its ongoing responsibilities under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. The initial fee allowed a maximum charge of $3.09 per acre, with actual rates set at $1.54 per acre in Fiscal Year 2024 and $2.53 per acre in Fiscal Year 2025.

As the GSA’s responsibilities have evolved, a new fee study was conducted to evaluate alternative funding structures that better align with current needs. The study considered factors such as land use, community characteristics, and groundwater use patterns across the subbasin.

Funding is essential to ensure the GSA can meet its legal obligations, support staff, conduct studies, monitor groundwater conditions, and improve the understanding of local groundwater resources. These revenues also support the preparation of annual reports and other compliance activities required by SGMA.

By funding these services locally, the Vina GSA is able to maintain local control over groundwater management—ensuring decisions are made in the best interest of the community and tailored to the needs of the Vina Subbasin. Landowners benefit directly from these efforts, which are critical to protecting the long-term health of the groundwater basin and securing a reliable water supply for agriculture, homes, and the environment.

How the Fee Works

To meet its responsibilities under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), the Vina GSA uses a two-part fee structure:

Part 1 Fee

Charged to all parcels within the Vina GSA boundaries, this fee funds governance and basic GSA operations. It covers core responsibilities such as agency administration, Board of Directors meetings, public oversight, and minimum SGMA compliance requirements.

Part 2 Fee

Charged only to parcels that actively use groundwater, this fee supports SGMA monitoring and sustainable groundwater management. It funds activities such as annual reporting, groundwater monitoring, data management, implementation of the Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP), and stakeholder engagement and outreach.

The Part 2 fee varies based on groundwater use:

Agricultural uses pay per cropped acre
Domestic and municipal uses pay per developed parcel
Grazing and vacant parcels do not pay this fee due to minimal or no groundwater use

Together, the Part 1 and Part 2 fees fund the full range of services needed to manage groundwater locally and comply with SGMA. Fees are collected through property tax bills or direct invoicing when necessary.