Historic Vote Sets Stage for Major Irrigation District Merger

Byron, CA (July 26, 2016) – At a history-making board meeting, Byron-Bethany Irrigation District (BBID) gave unanimous support to merge with West Side Irrigation District (WSID). The plan to consolidate the two major Tracy-area irrigation districts is one step closer to reality, after BBID’s Board of Directors voted 6-0 in favor of the merger. WSID leaders were in attendance at the meeting.

“Our two districts becoming one will be a stronger force in the water industry, ensuring greater water reliability for our customers,” said BBID GM Rick Gilmore. “Given the current political climate and recent challenges to water rights, there’s strength in numbers.”

The resolution approved by BBID Tuesday calls for the 6,000-acre WSID service area west of Tracy to be incorporated into the existing 30,000-acre service area of BBID, establishing a single, 36,000-acre district. At a board meeting earlier this month, WSID’s Board of Directors voice d their support for the plan with a 3-1 vote.

The affirmative votes by both districts came after carefully weighing the benefits a consolidation would bring customers, including stronger water resources and financial sustainability. An ad-hoc committee comprised of members from both districts reviewed all aspects of a potential merger, toured district  facilities and examined financial data. Landowners voiced strong support at a public meeting.

Significant steps remain in the coming months before the consolidation can become official. The San Joaquin Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) has indicated both agencies will be required to complete a municipal service review (MSR), as well as enter into a property tax sharing agreement with San Joaquin County. Ultimately, San Joaquin LAFCO must sign off on a district reorganization plan to finalize the merger.

The last time BBID went before LAFCO was more than a decade ago, in 2004, when BBID successfully merged with Plain View Water District.

Byron­-Bethany Irrigation District, West Side Irrigation District Move One Step Closer to Merger

Tracy, CA (July 14, 2016) – In a move that sets the stage for two major Tracy­ area irrigation districts to join forces, leaders with the West Side Irrigation District (WSID) gave their official approval to merge with Byron­-Bethany Irrigation District (BBID). WSID’s Board of Directors voted 3-­1 in favor of the action at their board meeting Wednesday night.

WSID’s vote came after months of thoughtful discussion between the two districts carefully weighing the benefits a consolidation would bring customers, including stronger water resources and ongoing financial sustainability. A merger would result in the incorporation of WSID’s existing 6,000-­acre service area west of Tracy into the existing 30,000­-acre service area of BBID, establishing a single, 36,000­-acre district.

“We see the potential for better water reliability as one district,” said BBID GM Rick Gilmore. “Sharing resources can only help us serve our customers more effectively and efficiently.”

Over the last few months, an ad­-hoc committee comprised of members from both districts reviewed all aspects of a potential merger. The committee toured district facilities and poured over financial data. A public meeting seeking input from landowners in both districts found overwhelming support.

The matter now rests in the hands of BBID’s Board of Directors, set to take a vote at the District’s next board meeting. If BBID votes to merge with WSID, a district reorganization plan would be submitted to the San Joaquin County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) for final approval.

It would be the second merger BBID has successfully undertaken. In 2004, BBID merged with Plainview Water District.

Byron-Bethany Irrigation District Supports International Effort for California Water Solutions

Byron, CA (June 28, 2016) – Leaders with Byron-Bethany Irrigation District (BBID) announced Tuesday they are partnering with water experts in California and Israel, in an international effort to find new ways to save water in California and abroad. BBID will attend, and sponsor, the Israel California Water (ICWater) Conference, a joint effort between the two water sectors to collaborate and become more sustainable.

Event organizers say the ICWater Conference will center around smart water technology and practical business, regulatory and financing solutions to help solve California’s water crisis. In addition to featuring business leaders, researchers, policy leaders, technology experts from California, the conference will also include representatives from more than twenty Israeli water technology firms.

“It’s no secret California’s water community faces considerable challenges in the months and years ahead,” said BBID GM Rick Gilmore. “We need practical solutions. BBID welcomes fruitful global partnerships like this one, that encourage collaboration and provide new ways of thinking about solving our age-old water issues here in California.”

The event is part of an ongoing collaboration between California and Israel, born from a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by Governor Brown and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in 2014. It strengthens a partnership that already has seen California companies partner with Israeli firms for smart water research and implementation in multiple facets of the water world.

The ICWater Conference was held on Wednesday, June 29th, at the Ritz Carlton Marina Del Rey in Los Angeles, and on June 30th, 2016 at the Leichtag Commons in San Diego.

WATCH: Videos from the conference!