Council members raise concerns about Tri Valley watershed plan and irrigation pipeline costs

Councilmembers discussed a Tri Valley Watershed Work Plan approved recently by the county council and said portions of the county meeting recording misrepresented the town's role. Staff relayed that the county meeting discussion suggested the work plan could place the town or water-users on the hook for pipeline replacement costs; figures discussed in the meeting ranged around $4 million to $4.5 million in total replacement costs, with potential assessments to shareholders.

Council members said they had not agreed to be party to such an obligation and described confusion about whether stockholders had been properly informed on environmental-impact results or funding responsibilities. Council noted that the irrigation company is a private entity not subject to local open-meetings requirements and that stockholder communication practices vary.

No formal town action or fiscal commitment was taken during the special meeting; members recommended monitoring the county and irrigation-company processes and reviewing any documentation before taking steps.