Merced supervisors to discuss groundwater ordinance, economic agreement
The Merced County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday will hold its first public hearing for a proposed groundwater ordinance, in addition to considering an economic development agreement between the six cities and county.
The board voted 4-1 last week to set the groundwater ordinance’s first reading for Tuesday with a second reading and possible adoption tentatively scheduled for Dec. 16. The draft ordinance is the county’s first attempt at overseeing groundwater transports out of the area’s basin.
The ordinance would require a multistep permitting process for groundwater exports as well as for construction of wells in areas where there’s never been groundwater pumping before.
The process allows county officials to scrutinize each water transport individually to determine impacts to the county’s groundwater. Some projects might require additional analysis and environmental reviews, according to the ordinance.
County supervisors on Tuesday will also consider approving an agreement between the six cities and the county related to a collaborative economic development plan.
The memorandum of understanding would allow the cities to work in partnership with the county on initiatives to attract new businesses, such as marketing, public relations and business recruitment. There is no financial obligation for the collaboration, according to county documents.
The board will also look at giving county employees two additional holidays this year, on Dec. 26 and Jan. 2, to compensate for the “commitment and sacrifice” employees have made during wage reductions and furloughs.
The supervisors will consider appointing Ryan Paskin to the Merced County Employees’ Retirement Board, according to county documents.
The Board of Supervisors will meet at 10 a.m. Tuesday in the board’s chamber on the third floor of the Merced County Administration Building, 2222 M St.
Sun-Star staff writer Ramona Giwargis can be reached at (209) 385-2477 or rgiwargis@mercedsunstar.com.
This story was originally published December 8, 2014 at 4:50 PM with the headline "Merced supervisors to discuss groundwater ordinance, economic agreement."