Funding Controversy Erupts Over Sweetwater Reservoir Projects

During a recent government meeting, officials discussed two payments to Benchmark Land Use Group related to the Sweetwater Reservoir projects. The first payment, amounting to $200,175, is for professional consulting services for the Sweetwater Reservoir Capacity Restoration Project, while the second payment is for the Sweetwater Reservoir Enhancement Project. Concerns were raised about the potential overlap between these projects, particularly since the enhancement project had previously been put on hold.

Director Calderon sought clarification on whether the payments were misclassified, suggesting that they might pertain to the same initiative. In response, it was confirmed that the focus is indeed on the capacity restoration effort, which involves dredging to improve water usability at the reservoir. The project gained urgency following a significant water shortage in December 2022, where usable water levels were critically low.

Officials noted that they are pursuing grants to fund the dredging efforts, with Representative Vargas sponsoring legislation to include the project in the water resources development act. This legislation is currently undergoing the appropriation process, indicating a strong possibility of securing funding.

Additionally, the meeting addressed concerns regarding ongoing payments to the Adura Group for community outreach services. Despite previous funding being exhausted, officials clarified that the payments were drawn from the original contract funds, and no new requests for proposals (RFPs) had been issued for these services. The board expressed the need for legal review to ensure compliance and proper management of the remaining budget for both consulting groups.