Consolidated Water District to Hold Prop 218 Election, Seeking Approval from Landowners to Fund Water Supply Projects and Meet SGMA Challenges
- jsilva291
- Apr 22
- 2 min read
The Consolidated Water District (District) is holding a Proposition 218 election, giving landowners the opportunity to vote on a proposed assessment that would fund the District’s work to secure surface water supplies and build recharge projects.
About the Proposition 218 Election
SGMA requires local groundwater basins to achieve sustainability by 2040, and that timeline is driving real change. Pumping restrictions in the Kaweah Subbasin are now a reality of farming under SGMA, and the need for new water supply has become more immediate. The District was formed in 2025 to support landowners by developing additional water supplies through recharge. The District’s planned approach focuses on capturing Kaweah River flood flows during wet years by building basins and leveraging existing conveyance to store and recharge water, crediting that water back to landowners.
If the election passes, the Board of Directors will set the assessment rate every year based on the annual budget and will assess only what is necessary to accomplish the needs and goals of District, not to exceed $48.00 per acre. The proposed assessment would fund three core areas: District operations, the purchase of surface water supply, and capital improvement projects such as canals and recharge basins.
Together, these investments will expand water availability, improve flexibility under SGMA, and support the long-term viability of agriculture across the District.
How to Participate
The Proposition 218 election gives District landowners the opportunity to vote on the proposed per-acre assessment. The election was initiated with the adoption of an Engineer’s Report at the April 1, 2026 District Board Meeting. Ballots will be mailed to landowners early April, and can be submitted by mail, secured ballot box at the District office, or at the public hearing.
Landowners are encouraged to attend informational workshops to learn more about the Proposition 218 directly from District staff and have questions answered in person.
Landowners can also attend a public hearing to provide comments and submit ballots.
The workshop and public hearing will take place at the International Agri-Center, located at 4500 S Laspina St., Tulare, CA 93274.
If the election succeeds, the Board of Directors will set the rate for the 2026-27 fiscal year at its May or June meeting. Landowners would see the first collection via county tax rolls in fall 2026.
If you have questions or would like to better understand what the Proposition 218 process means for you, contact the District at msan@cpdc1874.org or call (559) 747-1177.
For more information and resources on the proposed rate, benefits, and impacts of Proposition 218 outcomes visit cwdistrict.org/prop218.
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