Map of Possible Expansion/Annexation

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OHWD has been approached by several landowners to consider annexing the areas described above into the Water District.  OHWD currently represents about 30,000 acres of land along the Cosumnes River and Deer Creek.  The district currently consists of mostly agriculture land and ag-residential.  OHWD is governed by an elected board of Directors.  Each Board members serves a 4 year term.  Elections are held every 2 years, with at least 2 director seats up for election for a total number of board members being five at any given time.  

The above map shows several different areas that can be considered to be annexed into OHWD.  The Board will consider all public input to inform any decision if to move forward on the annexation and which areas should be annexed.    

There are several reasons landowners in the possible expansion areas asked for consideration of the expansion of the district.  They are as follows:

1. Better representation for rural agriculture - The landowners of the area currently are governed by the Sacramento Central Groundwater Authority.    The Board of Directors of the Sacramento Central Groundwater Authority (SCGA) consists of sixteen members. Representation includes a Board member from nine public agencies, two private water purveyors, one representative of agricultural interests, one representative of agriculture-residential groundwater users, one representative of commercial/industrial self-supplied groundwater users, one representative of conservation landowners, and one representative of public agencies that are self-supplied groundwater users.  Members of the Board are appointed by cities of Sacramento, Folsom, Elk Grove and Rancho Cordova, and the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors.   OHWD board is an elected board by the landowners within the district, not appointed by any other governing agency.  If the area is annexed, the landowners will be able to vote in the election for board members and run for board seats.  
2. The creation of a large agricultural water district will increase the ability to implement groundwater recharge projects, apply for grant funding, provide representation for the landowners on the local, state and federal level.
3. Assist the landowners and Sacramento Regional San in the implementation of the Harvest Water project which is bringing recycled water to the area. 
4. Provide groundwater level monitoring for the area.

The expansion of OHWD in the area will NOT:

1. Reduce the current rate of taxes in the area.  OHWD will have to take over responsibilities to implement the Groundwater Sustainability Plan, which SCGA must currently do in the area.  This is anticipated to cost the similar for OHWD as it is for SCGA implementing state regulations.   
2. Increase taxes in the existing OHWD boundaries.  The annexation of the area into OHWD will not increase taxes in the current district boundaries.