SAFCA - 6/18/26

The Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA) Board of Directors meeting on June 18, 2026, focused on the adoption of the annual budget, a report on staff vacancies, and the approval of resolutions for property acquisitions related to levee improvements.

Staff Vacancies and Recruitment

The Board reviewed the annual report on staff vacancies, recruitment, and retention as required under AB-2561. Executive Director Jason Campbell reported an overall vacancy rate of 11% for the period of June 2025 through May 2026. Because the vacancy rate did not exceed the 20% threshold in any bargaining unit, no changes to existing policies or recruitment goals were triggered. The Board unanimously approved the report.

FY 2026-27 Recommended Budget

The Board held a public hearing and adopted Resolution 2026-059 for the $104 million recommended budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27. Key financial highlights include:

• Capital Program: A large portion of the budget, approximately $70.6 million, is dedicated to capital projects, including real estate and utility relocations.
• Reserves and Contingencies: The agency maintains $11.45 million in general reserves (roughly 11% of the budget) and a 5% contingency built into the funds.
• Funding Sources: Revenue includes anticipated bond proceeds of over $50 million and $16 million in state reimbursements.
• Project Focus: Approximately 80% of project spending is associated with the American River Common Features and Natomas projects.

Resolutions of Necessity (Eminent Domain)

The Board considered two Resolutions of Necessity for properties required for the Natomas Levee Improvements project. These resolutions are required to initiate eminent domain proceedings if a voluntary agreement cannot be reached by June 30, 2026.

• 5625 East Levee Road: This acquisition involves fee interest and easements for the West Levee component of the project. An initial vote failed to meet the required two-thirds (nine-member) threshold because the Board was one vote short of the necessary quorum for such an action.
• 5311 East Levee Road: Similar to the first property, this acquisition is for levee widening and seepage berm construction.

To resolve the quorum issue for these high-threshold votes, the Board took a 15-minute recess to wait for the arrival of Director Pluckebaum. Upon his arrival, the Board reconsidered and approved both resolutions with nine votes, while Director Muñoz abstained from both items. Staff emphasized that negotiations with the property owners would continue even as the legal proceedings were initiated.

Administrative Matters

• Consent Calendar: Items 1 through 16 were approved unanimously without being pulled for separate discussion.
• Closed Session: The Board chose to forego a scheduled closed session as the items had been heard previously on multiple occasions.
• Next Meeting: The next SAFCA Board meeting is scheduled for July 16, 2026.