Soquel Creek Water District 08/18/26

The Soquel Creek Water District board meeting held on August 18, 2026, focused extensively on procurement and contracting matters related to water infrastructure and interagency agreements. Key discussions included authorization to issue a conditional will serve letter for a large residential development at 2600 Mar Vista Drive, involving design and potential water system improvements funded by the developer. The board also reviewed a draft interagency agreement with the City of Santa Cruz for a potable water transfer using the existing O'Neill Ranch intertie, including detailed presentations on cost of service studies and pricing options for water sales. Various pricing models were considered, with staff recommending a mixed fixed and variable fee structure to balance revenue certainty and conservation incentives. The agreement includes provisions for future infrastructure improvements, cost-sharing, and environmental review. Additionally, the board approved a successor agreement with SEIU covering employment contracts. The meeting emphasized regional collaboration, water sustainability, and financial prudence in procurement and contracting decisions.