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 its first SGMA fee to fund its ongoing responsibilities under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. That original fee was a single per-acre charge, capped at $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. The Board adopted the resulting fee structure on June 11, 2025, by Resolution No. 2025-02, Adopting the Final Sustainable Groundwater Management Act Fee Study Report. That structure, described below, is the fee currently in effect.

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.

Fiscal Year 2026-2027 SGMA Fees

 2025 Vina GSA Fee Report

2025 Vina GSA Fee Report_Final.pdf