News

VIDEO: Tie Vote in District Election Resolved by the Roll of a Die

Martinez, CA (December 7, 2018) – For the first time in the 100-plus year history of the Byron-Bethany Irrigation District (BBID), a District election was decided by the roll of a die. Larry Enos, Jr., was reelected as BBID Division I Director following a highly unusual election tiebreaking procedure.

BBID Division I Director Larry Enos Jr., left, and challenger Pete Petrovich, right (seated), moments before the election tiebreaker.

The vote between Enos, Jr. and his challenge Pete Petrovich was tied, 51-51, after all of the votes were counted following last month’s election. On Friday, the two candidates joined elections officials at the Contra Costa County Elections Department in Martinez. Enos, Jr. and Petrovich were directed to roll a 20-sided die three times, with the highest combined score as the winner. Enos, Jr. won by a count of 51-45, giving him the deciding margin for his reelection.

The 20-sided die used to break the election tie.

The roll of the die was performed pursuant to California Elections Code 15651, which states in part: “If at any election … two or more persons receive an equal and the highest number of votes for an office to be voted for in more than one county, the Secretary of State shall forthwith summon the candidates who have received the tie votes … [and] shall at that time and place determine the tie by lot [lottery].”

The final tally of the election tiebreaker, giving the victory to Larry Enos, Jr.

Elections officials said they could not recall another time in the history of Contra Costa County that a tied special district election had been resolved with the roll of a die.

Enos, Jr. has served on the BBID board for the last seven years, representing Division I in Contra Costa County. As a result of today’s tiebreaker, he will serve another four-year term.

Meanwhile, in BBID Division III in Contra Costa and Alameda Counties, BBID Board Vice President Tim Maggiore ran unopposed and was reelected for another four-year term.

December 7, 2018 in District News

SLDMWA Announces New Executive Director

Los Banos, CA (December 6, 2018) – The San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority (Water Authority) Board of Directors voted today to approve an employment contract for Federico Barajas to fill the position of its Executive Director, replacing Assistant Executive Director Frances Mizuno who has been serving on an interim basis since June 1.

Byron-Bethany Irrigation District (BBID) is a member agency of the Water Authority.

Read the full release below!

San Luis Release 12.6.18
December 6, 2018 in District News

BBID, Partnering Agencies Act to Keep Groundwater Management Local

Sacramento, CA (December 3, 2018) – In a significant step toward maintaining local control over sustainable groundwater management in East Contra Costa County, the State tentatively approved a boundary modification request of the Tracy Subbasin. The request was made on behalf of eight local water providers, including the Byron-Bethany Irrigation District (BBID). Late last week, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) issued a draft decision to approve it.

“Groundwater management will help shape the future of our region,” said BBID GM Rick Gilmore. “These decisions are best made by those on the local level, on behalf of water users in East Contra Costa County.”

In 2014, Governor Brown signed into law the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). It requires local agencies to cooperatively form long-term plans for groundwater management. However, the way the law was initially written could potentially allow water users in Tracy and San Joaquin County to have undue influence over how groundwater is managed in East Contra Costa County. Local agencies, including BBID, sought to have the Tracy Subbasin subdivided along the Contra Costa and San Joaquin County line.

The City of Brentwood filed the boundary modification request on behalf of the City of Antioch, BBID, Contra Costa County, Contra Costa Water District, Diablo Water District, Discovery Bay Community Services District, and East Contra Costa Irrigation District. The coalition of agencies also distributed a letter to water users, soliciting input and explaining the reasoning behind the request.

Once the state’s draft approval decision becomes final, BBID’s service area will overlap two subbasins: the new East Contra Costa County Subbasin, and the remaining Tracy Subbasin. There, BBID is partnering with the West Side Irrigation District, Banta Carbona Irrigation District, the City of Tracy, and the San Luis and Delta-Mendota Water Authority to develop a plan for sustainable groundwater management.

BBID continues to work to meet upcoming SGMA requirements, including the development of a groundwater sustainability plan (GSP) in basins and subbasins classified by the state as medium or high priority. GSPs must be completed by January of 2022. The District previously acted to become a groundwater sustainability agency (GSA) following a public hearing in March 2017, ensuring the District will play an active role in groundwater management in its service area the surrounding region. Click here to learn more about SGMA.

December 3, 2018 in District News

Governor Brown Signs BBID-Backed Water Rights Fairness Bill

Sacramento, CA (September 24, 2018) – Landmark legislation crafted by Byron-Bethany Irrigation District (BBID) to restore Constitutional due process and restore fairness for California’s water right holders is now law. Governor Brown signed Assembly Bill 747, a bill introduced by Assemblymember Anna Caballero (D-Salinas). AB 747 passed the Legislature by an overwhelming bipartisan majority.

“The Governor’s action cements a significant step toward improving the transparency, objectivity and accountability for California’s water rights administration and enforcement,” said BBID GM Rick Gilmore. “This law will go a long way toward implementing the necessary checks and balances, as well as restoring the water community’s faith in the process.”

AB 747 establishes a fairer process for water right holders who for many years felt they had little choice but to settle enforcement actions brought against them by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB). The SWRCB currently acts as both prosecutor and judge in enforcement actions initiated by the Board. This bill creates an Administrative Hearings Office within the SWRCB. Expert attorneys will serve as hearing officers to hear and adjudicate complex, critically important water rights matters. A similar structure is already in effect for many state agencies.

This legislation is the response to AB 313, which was introduced last session by Assemblymember Adam Gray (D-Merced), and ultimately vetoed by Governor Brown. Since then, BBID and other local government districts proactively engaged the Brown Administration to find common ground.  AB 747 is the result of that effort.

“On behalf of the BBID Board of Directors, I would like to thank Assemblymember Caballero and her staff for all of their hard work, and recognize Assemblymember Gray’s important contributions at the outset of this effort,” said BBID Board President Russell Kagehiro. “We must also thank Governor Brown and his Administration for their recognition of this critical issue impacting communities statewide, and for their collaboration to reach a solution.”

The new hearing unit will take effect in the coming months.

September 24, 2018 in District News

BBID-Backed Water Rights Bill Passes, Headed to Gov. Brown’s Desk

Sacramento, CA (August 31, 2018) – In a decisive vote, lawmakers acted late Friday to pass Assembly Bill 747, water rights legislation introduced by Assemblymember Anna Caballero (D-Salinas). The bill crafted by Byron-Bethany Irrigation District (BBID) takes steps to restore Constitutional due process and fundamental fairness currently lacking for California’s water right holders. The bill passed the Senate and Assembly with strong bipartisan support on the last night of the legislative session.

“We commend Assemblymember Caballero for taking on this core issue impacting communities across California,” said BBID GM Rick Gilmore. “This good governance legislation is the result of constructive collaboration with the Brown Administration and a collective recognition of the need for greater transparency, accountability, and – above all – fairness in our water rights administration.”

Currently, the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) acts as both prosecutor and judge in enforcement actions the Board initiates against water users. AB 747 removes that built-in conflict of interest by creating an Administrative Hearings Office within the SWRCB. Expert attorneys will act as an objective third party to oversee and adjudicate complex, critically important water rights matters.

“Too often, water right holders feel they have no choice but to settle enforcement actions given the current structure,” Gilmore added. “AB 747 levels the playing field and will help restore faith in the process, ensuring water right holders get a fair shake as guaranteed by our Constitution.”

AB 747 is a follow-up to AB 313, which was previously introduced by Assemblymember Adam Gray (D-Merced). AB 313 passed the Legislature with similarly strong support on both sides of the aisle, but was ultimately vetoed by Governor Brown. Since then, all parties have engaged in productive dialogue to reach a compromise that provides important protections for water rights holders.

“We would be remiss if we didn’t recognize Assemblymember Gray’s work on this issue,” Gilmore said. “From the very beginning, he championed this cause. We wouldn’t be where we are tonight without his tireless dedication.”

AB 747 now heads to Governor Brown’s desk for his signature.

August 31, 2018 in District News