WSID Archives – Byron-Bethany Irrigation District

District Holds First Board Meeting After Historic Merger

n.janes — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 21:12:58 +0000

Byron, CA (September 29, 2020) – Two century-old irrigation districts in the Tracy area have officially joined forces. In a landmark moment Tuesday, the Byron-Bethany Irrigation District (BBID) held its first regular board meeting since consolidating with the West Side Irrigation District (WSID).

In the early 1900s, the two districts kept handwritten board meeting minutes. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, this meeting was held virtually via Zoom.

“This is the culmination of several years of work to bring these two districts together, for the benefit of our growers,” said BBID General Manager Rick Gilmore. “In today’s challenging regulatory climate, this consolidation will improve water reliability, strengthen water rights, and provide greater financial flexibility to keep our water system performing well into the future.”

In June, the San Joaquin Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) voted unanimously in favor of consolidating the districts. The former 6,000-acre WSID service area West of Tracy was incorporated into the existing 30,000-acre service area of BBID, establishing a single 36,000-acre district. Former WSID Directors Tom Pereira and Jack Alvarez have become BBID Board Directors in newly created Divisions XIII and IX, respectively. The former boundaries of WSID are now known as the West Side Service Area. All former WSID employees have become BBID staff.

“This is a great step forward that will keep our farmers in business,” said Jack Alvarez, former WSID Board President and new BBID Board Director. “We are stronger together, with a greater ability to manage costs and provide reliable water deliveries.”

The merger has been in the works since 2016, when both districts first voted to move forward and BBID began managing WSID operations. Landowners expressed their strong support at a public meeting held at the outset of the process. Last year, LAFCO adopted a final Municipal Service Review (MSR) and Sphere of Influence (SOI) prepared by both districts, which includes an extensive review of financial information, infrastructure, and services provided.

BBID previously merged with the Plain View Water District in 2004.

The post District Holds First Board Meeting After Historic Merger appeared first on Byron-Bethany Irrigation District.

Historic Water District Merger Approved

n.janes — Thu, 11 Jun 2020 20:20:16 +0000

Stockton, CA (June 11, 2020) – In a historic vote, a consolidation of two of the oldest irrigation districts in the Tracy area was approved Thursday. The San Joaquin Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) voted unanimously in favor of consolidating the Byron-Bethany Irrigation District (BBID) and the West Side Irrigation District (WSID).

“By combining forces, we will improve water reliability for our customers, as well as greater financial stability and improved efficiency,” said BBID GM Rick Gilmore. “We thank LAFCO for its consideration throughout this process, culminating with today’s affirmative vote.”

Resolutions previously approved by BBID and WSID call 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. The former boundaries of WSID will be known as the West Side Service Area.

The merger has been in the works since 2016, when both districts first voted to move forward. Leaders from BBID and WSID formed an ad-hoc committee, carefully studying financial data and touring facilities dating back decades. Both agencies began in the early 1900s serving agricultural customers. Ultimately, leaders decided a merger would bring substantial benefits in the form of stronger water resources and water rights. Landowners expressed their strong support at a public meeting held at the outset of the process.

Last June, LAFCO adopted a final Municipal Service Review (MSR) and Sphere of Influence (SOI) prepared by both districts, which includes an extensive review of financial information, infrastructure, and services provided.

Following Thursday’s vote, per LAFCO procedure, a protest hearing will be held in 45 days. Unless more than 50% of the registered voters living in the affected area provide a written protest, the merger will become official.

BBID previously merged with the Plain View Water District in 2004.

The post Historic Water District Merger Approved appeared first on Byron-Bethany Irrigation District.

District Consolidation One Step Closer to Reality

n.janes — Fri, 14 Jun 2019 06:08:00 +0000

Stockton, CA (June 13, 2019) – The proposed consolidation between the Byron-Bethany Irrigation District (BBID) and the West Side Irrigation District (WSID) took a significant step forward Thursday.

The San Joaquin County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) formally approved the updated Municipal Service Review (MSR) and Sphere of Influence (SOI) related to the consolidation. BBID and WSID have worked collaboratively with interested stakeholders in both service areas for quite some time. The planned consolidation would help secure greater water reliability and improve delivery efficiencies.

“We thank LAFCO staff and commissioners for their diligence throughout this process,” said BBID GM Rick Gilmore. “We look forward to moving forward in the coming months.”

The post District Consolidation One Step Closer to Reality appeared first on Byron-Bethany Irrigation District.

BBID Issues Final Documents in Proposed District Consolidation

n.janes — Fri, 07 Jun 2019 22:11:22 +0000

Byron-Bethany Irrigation District (BBID) today issued a final document related to its planned consolidation with the West Side Irrigation District (WSID).

BBID released its Final Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Sphere of Influence (SOI) update for the proposed consolidation of BBID and WSID.

The document was provided to the San Joaquin County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO), which will consider the matter at its upcoming meeting on June 13th.

BBID - Final MND, Part 1 05-02-19

BBID - Final MND, Part 2 05-02-19

The post BBID Issues Final Documents in Proposed District Consolidation appeared first on Byron-Bethany Irrigation District.

UPDATE: Water Districts Issue Final Municipal Service Review in Proposed Consolidation

n.janes — Fri, 07 Jun 2019 00:30:19 +0000

Byron, CA (June 6, 2019) – On Thursday, the Byron-Bethany Irrigation District (BBID) and West Side Irrigation District (WSID) jointly issued its final Municipal Service Review (MSR) and Sphere of Influence (SOI) related to a planned consolidation between BBID and WSID.

The report addresses major issues of service delivery and efficiency and includes an analysis and a written statement of conclusions, for multiple factors, including growth and population projections for the affected area, disadvantaged unincorporated communities, present and planned capacity of public facilities, financial ability of the agency to provide services, opportunities for shared facilities, and more.

The two Districts have been working collaboratively with interested stakeholders in both service areas for quite some time. The planned consolidation would help secure greater water reliability and improve delivery efficiencies.

The matter is set to be considered by the San Joaquin County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) at its next meeting on June 13th. The full MSR is below.

0_Final_MSR_SOI_BBID_TWSID_3June19ro_compressed

The post UPDATE: Water Districts Issue Final Municipal Service Review in Proposed Consolidation appeared first on Byron-Bethany Irrigation District.

WATCH: Proposed District Consolidation Takes Step Forward

n.janes — Thu, 30 May 2019 05:56:50 +0000

Stockton, CA (May 9, 2019) – The proposed consolidation between Byron-Bethany Irrigation District (BBID) and the West Side Irrigation District (WSID) took an important step forward.

At its regular May 2019 meeting, the San Joaquin County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) voted to allow the draft Municipal Service Review (MSR) and Sphere of Influence (SOI) report prepared for both districts to move forward in the public review process with a hearing to be scheduled on June 13.

Representatives from BBID addressed the Commission, whose vote was unanimous.

Watch the full proceedings below (video courtesy of San Joaquin County LAFCO).

The post WATCH: Proposed District Consolidation Takes Step Forward appeared first on Byron-Bethany Irrigation District.

Contra Costa LAFCO Issues Response in Proposed BBID-WSID Consolidation

n.janes — Thu, 23 May 2019 22:58:44 +0000

The Contra Costa Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) issued the following comments related to the proposed consolidation of the Byron-Bethany Irrigation District (BBID) and the West Side Irrigation District (WSID).

The full letter is below.

BBID MND LAFCO Response

The post Contra Costa LAFCO Issues Response in Proposed BBID-WSID Consolidation appeared first on Byron-Bethany Irrigation District.

WATCH: BBID, WSID District Overview & Infrastructure Tour

n.janes — Wed, 01 May 2019 04:56:40 +0000

In advance of next week’s meeting before the San Joaquin County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO), the Byron-Bethany Irrigation District (BBID) released the following video, which will be presented to LAFCO.

The video provides a brief overview of BBID and West Side Irrigation District (WSID). BBID and WSID will present a report before the Commission, another step in the planned consolidation of the districts.

The post WATCH: BBID, WSID District Overview & Infrastructure Tour appeared first on Byron-Bethany Irrigation District.

AERIAL VIDEO: State Crews Perform Critical Maintenance, Restoring Pumping Capacity

n.janes — Tue, 04 Dec 2018 23:20:30 +0000

On Monday, crews removed water hyacinth from the canal near the West Side Irrigation District (WSID) pump house. WSID is currently being managed by the Byron-Bethany Irrigation District. Watch the drone footage below!

The post AERIAL VIDEO: State Crews Perform Critical Maintenance, Restoring Pumping Capacity appeared first on Byron-Bethany Irrigation District.

Tracy Press: Irrigation Districts Combine Operations

n.janes — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 19:42:27 +0000

12-19-16-Irrigation-districts-combine-operations-Tracy-Press-News-Mobile

The post Tracy Press: Irrigation Districts Combine Operations appeared first on Byron-Bethany Irrigation District.