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Eastern San Joaquin Groundwater Basin Groundwater Management Plan Northeastern San Joaquin County Section 6 Groundwater Banking Authority 96 Financing Options Federal approach. Appropriating funds through the State legislature is extremely competitive and subject to the State budget climate. State Agency Interest – Discretionary funds may be available in the form of directed action assistance or in-kind services. Partnerships with the agencies such as the DWR Division of Planning and Local Assistance (DPLA) and CALFED may yield monies and services to projects (e.g. Joint USGS/DWR/Authority Groundwater Recharge and Distribution of High-Chloride Groundwater from Wells Study). State Assistance Programs - Finally, a third option is to apply for project funding under an existing grant, low interest loan or assistance program administered by any of the various State agencies. Under Proposition 13, the Safe Drinking Water, Clean Water, Watershed Protection, and Flood Protection Act of 2000, approximately $200 million statewide for groundwater management and recharge projects were provided through the DWR DPLA. Similarly, Proposition 13 provided a major source of funding for the CALFED Bay-Delta Program and other such programs administered by SWRCB. Most recently, voters approved the $3.44 Billion Proposition 50, the Water Quality, Supply and Safe Drinking Water Projects, Coastal Wetlands Purchase and Protection Act of 2002. Proposition 50 is expected to provide similar funding opportunities for the next few years. 6.1.3 Local Funding Local funds are available from a variety of sources including general funds, water rates, developer fees, connection fees, capital improvement programs, acreage or ad valorem assessments, and taxes. Local funds can be raised by individual agencies and districts or through more regional efforts such as the San Joaquin Council of Governments (SJCOG). The implementation of assessments and taxes is subject to Proposition 218 voting requirements. The Authority member agencies have the power to issue bonds for capital projects separately or jointly as the Authority. The following sections briefly explore the revenue generating mechanisms available for bond repayment and annual operations and maintenance costs. Assessments – The Authority has the power to implement a number of funding mechanisms available including the exercise of provisions set forth in Water Code Sections 10750 et. seq. Upon adoption of the Plan, the Authority could choose to equitably assess parcels within the GMA for the purpose of implementing the Plan subject to a Proposition 218 vote. The Authority does not have a time table by which this particular funding mechanism will be exercised. In addition, benefit assessments consistent with the existing statutory authorities of the member agencies could be used to generate revenues. Sales Tax – Local sales tax measures such as Measure K, the ½ % regional transportation sales tax initiative, could be pursued by the Authority for the implementation of the Plan. The Authority or a similar broad stakeholder based Authority is necessary to garner the support of the voters. Through 2011, over its 20 year life span, Measure K is expected to generate over $750 million. Water Service Fees – The Authority or its member agencies could revise or formulate a fee structure for the water served either at the wholesale or retail level. Revenue generated could be directed towards the debt service of capital projects or for the implementation of the Plan. Developer Fees – Mitigation fees paid by new urban developments are currently collected by cities and counties. Specifically, a Water Impact Mitigation Fee is collected per new residential building permit within a defined area to finance capital repayment of bonds used to construct the