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Regular scheduled meeting of the Southern Matter Water Authority for August 30th, August 20th, Russia, no month, sorry, 2026. This is the first time set aside for public comment, and this is public comment on any items on the agenda. Please state and tell your name for the record. Thank you. Madam Chair, could I ask a little bit of indulgence before you start my time? I want to address something on the minutes in addition to my public comment. Thank you.

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So before you approve the minutes, I do have one request regarding my public comment from the last meeting.

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The minutes note that I submitted written comments, but they don't reflect the substance of what I said.

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Other speakers comments are summarized substantively in the minutes.

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I'm asking that mine be treated the same way.

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The fact that I provided a written document shouldn't make my oral comments less visible in the official minutes.

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So under NRS 2-4-1.035, I'm expressly requesting that the minutes reflect the substance of my remarks, and I would ask the minutes to be corrected before approval.

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So thank you for that.

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I'm actually also here on agenda items 5, 6, and 7.

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In July, this agreement came before you on item number 7, and was pulled on August 11th, the general manager signed it anyway, and today you're being asked to ratify it.

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We've confronted the question of where administrative authority ends and

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board authority begins.

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I think we all remember the septic waiver program that's still kind of outstanding.

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If management could execute this agreement subject to leader ratification,

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why it was board approval requested in July and what changed after the item was pulled.

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But the additional conservation material provided with this agenda raises more important issues to consider.

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As the WA must attest that absent this agreement, it would have used this water in 2026.

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Yet the methodology supporting that conservation reaches all the way back to 2002,

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measuring today's much lower per capita consumption against that baseline.

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So how much of the 50,000 acre feet, 7 out of out of water 30 now wants to monetize,

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came from decades of efficiency improvements, voluntary conservation, and

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an increasingly efficient new development

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and how much came from mandatory restrictions

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imposed on existing residents.

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That distinction matters because saving water

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through efficiency is fundamentally different

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from creating available water

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by taking established water use away

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from existing residents.

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One is conservation, the other is a reallocation

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of who gets use of the resource.

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Historically, much of that burden was perspective.

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New development had to become more efficient.

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Increasingly, the burden has become retrospective, existing residents and established communities are required to surrender existing water use and landscaping to increase additional capacity.

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And when that reallocation is compelled, while the resulting water is used to accommodate other demands or monetize for 16.25 million, it's no longer conservation, it's actually appropriation.

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And consider what Nevada is being asked to contribute compared to California.

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This agreement represents up to 16.7% of Nevada's apportionment, metropolitan's leaving 200,000 acre feet, which is only 4.5% of its apportionment.

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If California was contributing the same proportion as Nevada, it would be leaving approximately 733,000 acre feet and like made not 200,000, if I could just have another minute, thank you.

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And California itself says that this water is being left in Lake Mead to help stabilize the Colorado River and protect hydro power generation.

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Well, that's fine, then the burden should be theirs and a proportional share.

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Meanwhile, items five and six demonstrate that Southern Nevada can acquire and develop additional resources.

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And if growth creates additional demand, growth should bear the cost of acquiring the resources necessary to support it.

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Instead, item 7 asks you to monetize another 50,000 acre feet of conservation for 16.25 million without retaining the ICS credit for that water.

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Before deciding Nevada has 50,000 acre feet to spare, please look at your own data and ask how those savings were produced.

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And why Nevada with the smallest lower base in allocation is contributing proportionately so much more than California.

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Yeah, and I would really hope that each of you will comment on your decisions to to ratify this agreement.

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Thank you so much for the extra indulgence.

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Yep, thank you and next speaker, please.

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Good morning, directors for the record.

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My name is Scott Millington, the general manager of Muddy Valley Irrigation Company in Moarple Valley.

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Just I don't want a time to short, just take a minute to talk about agenda item number five,

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which is the restatement of the water operation and management agreement between

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between Southern Nevada Water Authority and Muddy Valley Irrigation Company.

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I know you've been well briefed on the information that's there, and so I'm not gonna spend any time on the contract.

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I think I'd like to talk just a minute about the history between Muddy Valley Irrigation Company and

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Southern Nevada Water Authority.

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Alongstanding history goes back to the mid 90s.

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We worked on multiple agreements as well as multiple projects on the Muddy River.

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The Muddy River is fully adjudicated.

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It's a river that you're probably well aware of.

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Southern Nevada Water Authority, their owns or controls about 50% depending on this agreement,

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maybe even a little more about flow, which contributes to your ICS plan.

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Money Valley works with Southern Nevada Water Authority to help in the documentation reporting of that ICS plan.

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I feel like this agreement is an integral part of that.

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But more importantly than just be in a financial arrangement between two entities.

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the MAPA Valley is a rural community, it's a rural community, agricultural historically.

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And as the company is owned by shareholders, those shareholders have been in some cases,

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grateful for an opportunity to lease or sell water at a fair market value.

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And it has definitely helped the community to do that.

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We would ask that you would consider an affirmative vote on this action today and realize that there are individuals affected by this, not just the company and like again, not just the financial arrangement between us.

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We appreciate Commissioner Kirkpatrick in all her efforts that she does in her other role in her other hat for us out in Moapa Valley.

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I potentially have stayed away from this due to her position here wearing her hat on this and haven't sought her guidance or counsel on this one, but she can definitely attest to the real value that we would like to maintain out in Moapa Valley.

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and I think this facilitates that.

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Appreciate your time today.

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Thank you.

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Thank you.

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Thanks for coming all the way out from the WAPA Valley.

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Appreciate that.

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Next speaker please.

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Good morning.

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Welcome to the SAMCAS Remnant Incorporate by Reference.

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The prior comments I made regarding SNWA's

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on lawful authority regarding these types of actions.

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These decisions under the law clearly reside

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with the Colorado River Commission.

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Unfortunately, the facade of public involvement is the most dangerous threat to the democracy.

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And in my experience having worked in the federal government, having worked in state government,

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that's what's happening here.

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These public comments aren't being recorded properly.

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They aren't being listened to decisions have already been made, and they're destroying Las Vegas.

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Las Vegas is suffering higher temperatures, and SNWA is consistently squeezing out a few

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from the residents to be able to pretend like they're saving water to the rest of the world.

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Meanwhile, giving away 50,000 acre feet to San Diego for the desolation plan,

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and then requiring citizens to pay for that water to come back.

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And now, ostensibly offering to accept a payment of only $325 or

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whatever the number is, dollars per acre foot.

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In every other location in the Western United States,

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If I want to develop, I have to go find my own water.

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And unfortunately, it appears the S&W is compromised by the contractors it has relationships with and is trying to accommodate growth that this valley shouldn't have to sustain on itself.

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Those developers should go find the water somewhere else.

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You likely know many of these legal arguments.

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You probably anticipated some of them.

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This is an unlawful taking.

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This is a redistribution of resources that violates NRS 533-025 because the water belongs to Las Vegas, not to you, and you don't have the ability to wield it like a political tool.

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It's a resource that's precious and necessary.

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There are individuals in this audience that come and complain and the SNWA about their water meter or what their water bill and the SNWA or the local partner replaces their water meter and tells them, hey, your water bill is going up.

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that type of retribution also reflects very poorly on politicians.

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So I'm going to leave you with a little bit of personal advice because I know several

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of you are incredible humans.

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And unfortunately I anticipate this falls on deaf ears for many of you but which is why

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we'll be litigating these things if you proceed with this decision that lacks authority.

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But I'll leave you with this personal advice.

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Many of you know me, you know I don't pick fights unless I will win.

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you know that I've sued utilities before and I tear down injustice. I don't seek for power, I seek to tear it down.

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And that's what's happening here. The public will win this fight. Your reputations will be impacted for generations by this.

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And your seats are in question, which is a pity because several of you are wonderful public servants.

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But if your decision is led by fear, which is what I think is being peddled by the staff here, that will consume you.

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If your decision is led by or founded on hypocrisy, that will also consume you, and it's currently consuming Las Vegas.

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I hope you listen to us, I hope you take these meetings in consideration, I hope you don't pretend like the dius that's elevated above the public that you're sitting on right now somehow removes you from the consequences.

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I hope you realize that you can't go put your toes in your own grass when you're forcing other people to remove theirs.

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And I hope you know that this is a time that will be a reckoning for you, thank you.

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Thank you.

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Any other public speakers, please?

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Good morning.

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Carol Reynolds, agenda item number seven.

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Will someone please explain to me the board's approval process because I'm confused.

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If approval was required in the July meeting, what happened between now and then?

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Will there be a decision today or just an approval of a decision that has already come to pass

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by unknown means?

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The public deserves to know by what authority the agreement was signed.

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What will residents get out of this agreement?

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They are responsible for the conservation effort that saved what is now apparently considered surplus water that is available for sale.

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Where will the 16.25 million go?

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Will there be a transparent accounting of it that is available to the public

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since we are constantly reminded that SNWA is a non-profit agency.

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If this agreement goes forward, will there be some measurable future benefit for Nevada that is committed to paper?

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If this agreement is in southern Nevada's interest, please explain why.

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Thank you, next speaker, please.

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Good morning, Diane Henry, HENRY, I agree on item number seven.

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At your last meeting, the SCIA agreement was delayed to allow for further discussions

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with the Bureau of Reclamation.

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The public would like to understand what issues were addressed during those discussions

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particularly since no changes to the agreement are evident.

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There's also a significant question regarding the approval process.

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us. How was the General Manager able to sign the agreement without a public hearing

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or prior board approval, as Laura and Carol have both mentioned? Finally and most importantly,

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the public deserves an explanation of how this agreement represents an equitable negotiation

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for Nevada to give up 50,000 acre feet of our already meager annual Colorado River allowance

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or 16.7 percent of our allotment. By comparison, California would give up only 4.5 percent of theirs

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while the upper basin states are required to give up nothing. That disparity is deeply concerning.

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This is not a good start for Nevada in negotiating this two-year plan.

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As the review journal editor stated on August 7th, it's absurd that the upper-basin states get off untouched.

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What is there incentive now to be part of the solution?

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And the Fed deal also ignores the progress Nevada has made in stretching our meager allotment.

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Sacrifices need to be evenly applied across the basin.

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at what point do you draw a line in the sand? That's a very tough question, but bottom line it should not be after too much has already been given away.

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If legal action is required, dare I say so be it. The terms of this agreement are not at all equitable, nor in Nevada's best interests.

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Thank you for objecting to this federal plan, which I believe you did on August 13th after it was already signed.

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I look forward to hearing your individual reasons for ratifying this agreement.

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Thank you.

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Thank you.

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Any other speakers?

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Seeing none, I'm going to go ahead and close the public hearing and turn it over to Mr. Ensmeyer.

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Good morning, Madam Chair and members of the Board.

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The agenda has been properly noticed and posted.

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As right for your approval, along with the minutes of your regular meeting of July 16th, 2026.

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Okay, entertain a motion, Mr. Insminger.

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Can we just bore the future and this one, put Ms. McSwain's comments in.

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I know it's on video.

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I know it's...

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All these other places that you could do it in it, but just so that we have it or at least touch the paper that she lives. Certainly. We'll address it. Okay. Thank you.

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That I'd entertain a motion for approval. Motion by Commissioner Jones. Any further discussion?

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CNN, please cast your vote.

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And that motion passes. Thank you, Mr. Walton.

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I'm number two, that's the Board of Directors to approve and authorize the General Manager to sign it's substantially the same form as attached here to an amendment to the non-exclusive access and license agreement between the state of Nevada, acting through the Nevada Division of state lands for and on behalf of the state and Nevada Army National Guard and the authority for use of real property necessary to construct, operate, and maintain authority water facilities within the Garnet Valley and authorize payment for a total amount not to

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to exceed $257,560 for the term of the agreement.

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This is a necessary easement slash right of way

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for all of the construction work going on

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up in the APEX area.

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A lot of parties involved took a while to get it done,

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but we're happy to have this one finalized.

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Okay, thank you.

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Any comments or questions?

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Okay, the motion by Councilman Stewart,

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First, so you know other discussion, please cast your vote.

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That motion passes.

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Number three, ask the board of directors to approve and authorize the General Manager to sign an agreement between Hazen and Sawyer and the authority to provide professional engineering services for miscellaneous civil, electrical, mechanical, and control systems projects for a total amount, not to exceed $6 million.

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This item itself is relatively standard.

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We have a lot of standby contracts for the sort of engineering support.

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I do just want to note for the record, and

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that's disclosed in the support materials that two children of employees of SNWA slash LVVWD

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were employed by as an insular or work in terms one of them's no longer employed.

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there were interns with Hazon, so neither one of them worked on any authority or district projects,

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and their employment had nothing to do with the decision to move forward with this agreement.

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Okay. Any comments or questions?

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Not at the entertainer motion.

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I have a motion by Councilman Black.

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Seeing no other discussion, please cast your vote.

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Welcome, yes.

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And that motion passes.

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I'm number 4 S the Board of Directors to approve and authorize the general manager to sign an agreement between Jacobs Engineering Group Incorporated and the authority to provide professional engineering services for miscellaneous civil electrical mechanical and control system projects for a total amount not to exceed $6 million.

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This is substantially similar to the immediately proceeding item just different engineering firm and no children of any employees were employed by Jacobs.

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Okay. Any comments or questions? Seeing none, I entertain a motion.

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I have a motion by Councilwoman Diaz. And with no further discussion, please cast your

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vote.

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Welcome, yes.

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And that motion passes. Item number five, I supported directors to approve and authorize

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the general manager to execute and substantially the same form as the task year two. A second

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amended and restated water operation and management agreement between the Muddy Valley Eurgation Company and the authority authorize the general manager or his designate to approve leasing the irrigation company shares, execute ministerial documents to effectuate the transactions and pay the associated administrative costs of the irrigation company for an amount not to exceed $3,950,000 for the first year with 3% annual increases thereafter.

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after. As was noted in public comment by NVSE's general manager, our relationship with

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the money value irrigation company goes back to the made maybe in early 90s since 2007.

212
00:19:30,440 --> 00:19:35,880
We've been able to take the tributary waters of the money in Rogen Rivers, put them into

213
00:19:35,880 --> 00:19:42,260
Lake Mead, and take them out of our facilities. It's actually the best block of water in our

214
00:19:42,260 --> 00:19:49,320
resource portfolio because those tributary waters under agreements executed in 2007 which

215
00:19:49,320 --> 00:19:57,140
were run through 2057 actually says those tributary waters aren't subject to shortage conditions

216
00:19:57,140 --> 00:20:01,840
so it's actually even better than the 300,000 acre foot basic apportionment.

217
00:20:01,860 --> 00:20:07,640
It's the most valuable water in our portfolio so we're happy that we reached terms for an extension

218
00:20:07,640 --> 00:20:11,440
with MVIC and are happy to bring that item to the board.

219
00:20:12,320 --> 00:20:15,160
Okay, anybody have any comments or questions?

220
00:20:16,420 --> 00:20:18,280
Thank you for working on this.

221
00:20:18,480 --> 00:20:20,140
I know it always takes a minute to do.

222
00:20:21,140 --> 00:20:24,820
So with that, I'd like to entertain a motion for approval.

223
00:20:25,220 --> 00:20:29,960
So have a motion by Councilman Black, no other discussion.

224
00:20:30,180 --> 00:20:30,920
Please cast your vote.

225
00:20:34,280 --> 00:20:34,940
Welcome, yeah.

226
00:20:38,150 --> 00:20:39,250
And that motion passes.

227
00:20:39,250 --> 00:21:09,230
And number six, ask the Board of Directors to approve and authorize the General Manager to negotiate and execute extensions or amendments for the operation and management agreements for water rights holders on the Virgin River and Muddy Rivers, excluding the Muddy Valley Irrigation Company, authorize the General Manager or his designate to approve the lease of shares, excluding Muddy Valley Irrigation Company shareholders, execute ministerial documents to effectuate the transactions and pay the associated administrative costs of

228
00:21:09,230 --> 00:21:14,370
of irrigation companies for an amount not to exceed $5,210,000,

229
00:21:14,530 --> 00:21:20,110
representing a maximum increase of 50% of non-lease costs currently paid,

230
00:21:20,330 --> 00:21:23,990
20% for leases of 10 years or less,

231
00:21:24,070 --> 00:21:27,330
and 40% for leases of at least 30 years,

232
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all subject to 3% annual increases.

233
00:21:31,210 --> 00:21:35,770
So the reason this is mixes some virgin river and muddy river,

234
00:21:35,770 --> 00:21:43,550
or nomenclature I guess is because the muddy river essentially south of I-15 is controlled

235
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by the irrigation.

236
00:21:44,510 --> 00:21:50,430
Everything north of I-15 is largely in private hands, and so there's a different arrangement

237
00:21:50,430 --> 00:21:54,650
with those private water-right holders, so we take it as one agreement.

238
00:21:54,850 --> 00:22:00,250
Now, we have not reached final agreement with the Virgin Valley water district, but because

239
00:22:00,250 --> 00:22:05,190
The start of the irrigation company begins actually before the next board meeting.

240
00:22:05,930 --> 00:22:14,750
We're asking for the delegation authority that if I'm essentially same terms and conditions that the Muddy River irrigation company has agreed.

241
00:22:15,310 --> 00:22:23,170
If the Virgin Valley irrigation company has agreed to the same terms, then we would be able to execute that before the start of the irrigation season.

242
00:22:23,950 --> 00:22:26,630
Okay. Anybody have any comments or questions?

243
00:22:30,080 --> 00:22:39,260
So, Joe, in other words, we approve of this contract, but it's subject to Virgin Valley accepting this contract.

244
00:22:40,000 --> 00:22:42,500
Right? You can think of it as an offer.

245
00:22:43,020 --> 00:22:49,540
Right, you delegate, you know, if they accept the offer, you've delegated to me the authority to accept their acceptance.

246
00:22:50,060 --> 00:22:51,540
And we move forward.

247
00:22:51,540 --> 00:22:58,880
But if there was any deviation from these terms that we thought warranted coming back

248
00:22:58,880 --> 00:23:02,380
to the board, then we would, or if they say no, then there's just no deal.

249
00:23:03,000 --> 00:23:03,200
Okay.

250
00:23:03,860 --> 00:23:04,160
Thanks.

251
00:23:04,220 --> 00:23:05,860
And they are aware of that.

252
00:23:06,040 --> 00:23:08,440
I do represent Bookerbell, so they are aware of that.

253
00:23:08,960 --> 00:23:09,160
Good.

254
00:23:09,260 --> 00:23:09,600
Thank you.

255
00:23:10,040 --> 00:23:11,960
If there's no other comments, I'll move for approval.

256
00:23:12,620 --> 00:23:12,820
Okay.

257
00:23:13,060 --> 00:23:18,160
There's a motion on floor by Councilman Stewart seeing no other discussion.

258
00:23:18,420 --> 00:23:19,240
Please cast your vote.

259
00:23:19,240 --> 00:23:22,780
but can

260
00:23:28,960 --> 00:23:30,200
that motion passes?

261
00:23:30,840 --> 00:23:32,640
I'm number seven, ask the Board of Directors

262
00:23:32,640 --> 00:23:35,680
to ratify the system conservation implementation agreement

263
00:23:35,680 --> 00:23:38,120
between the Bureau of Reclamation and the authority,

264
00:23:38,660 --> 00:23:41,340
which was executed on August 11th, 2026,

265
00:23:41,760 --> 00:23:45,720
and through which the authority will create up to 50,000 acre feet

266
00:23:45,720 --> 00:23:51,040
of system conservation water in exchange for $16,250,000

267
00:23:51,040 --> 00:23:54,060
in federal funding and authorize the general manager

268
00:23:54,060 --> 00:24:00,580
to approve future modifications of such modifications do not viscally impact the authority.

269
00:24:01,540 --> 00:24:08,820
We had brought this item previously, and then realized that there were terms and conditions

270
00:24:08,820 --> 00:24:13,900
within the agreement that we were not comfortable with in terms of the federal government being

271
00:24:13,900 --> 00:24:20,520
able to essentially have carte launch to allocate the water to other parts of the lower basin.

272
00:24:20,520 --> 00:24:29,520
Those concerns have now been addressed in this agreement, so we're comfortable recommending moving forward with it.

273
00:24:29,980 --> 00:24:40,760
I think the important thing for the board to recognize is we're going to get a record of this decision from the federal government on how they're going to operate the river soon.

274
00:24:41,100 --> 00:24:43,260
I mean, it could come down today. It could come down tomorrow.

275
00:24:43,260 --> 00:24:49,340
but within, you know, the next few weeks, we will get a record of decision for how the Colorado River is going to be operated

276
00:24:49,340 --> 00:24:52,560
at least for the next couple of years and maybe for the next 10 years.

277
00:24:53,080 --> 00:25:06,080
And right now, every draft we've seen anticipates Nevada contributing to banks of water that can be used in the state of creation, primarily.

278
00:25:06,080 --> 00:25:14,580
So we're probably almost certainly going to be required to make this sort of a system conservation contribution.

279
00:25:15,080 --> 00:25:23,200
Anyway, the question really becomes, do we wait for a year or two years when federal funding may well not be available?

280
00:25:23,780 --> 00:25:30,580
Or do we recognize that it's the smart business decision to take the federal funding while we can and

281
00:25:30,580 --> 00:25:39,220
and still have the water available to us to offset reductions to Nevada's overall allocation as part of these banked resources.

282
00:25:43,720 --> 00:25:44,760
Can I share a chance?

283
00:25:45,500 --> 00:25:47,740
Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you for the explanation.

284
00:25:48,060 --> 00:25:53,860
I know that several of us had raised the concerns with each the perception of this last time around, and

285
00:25:53,860 --> 00:26:00,740
I think all of those concerns have been addressed, and that it is financially prudent for us to take this money,

286
00:26:00,740 --> 00:26:04,720
any given that we're going to engage in the conservation that's required anyways.

287
00:26:05,140 --> 00:26:07,580
And if there are no other comments or questions, I'll move approval.

288
00:26:08,320 --> 00:26:10,120
Okay, any comments or questions?

289
00:26:11,960 --> 00:26:14,380
And I live in motion on a fire by Commissioner Jones.

290
00:26:15,020 --> 00:26:15,780
Please cast your vote.

291
00:26:22,700 --> 00:26:23,960
That motion passes.

292
00:26:25,080 --> 00:26:29,080
Number eight, ask the Board of Directors to receive an update from staff on water resources,

293
00:26:29,080 --> 00:26:34,200
including but not limited to drought conditions in the Colorado River Basin Conservation

294
00:26:34,200 --> 00:26:40,460
Foundation programs and initiatives, activities on the Colorado River and water resource acquisitions and developments.

295
00:26:41,320 --> 00:26:46,120
Because our normal schedule is every other month and because we're going three months in a row,

296
00:26:46,380 --> 00:26:49,820
we really don't have much of an update hydrologically or

297
00:26:50,520 --> 00:26:55,080
conservation wise for the board so I've told Colby to skip the PowerPoint presentation.

298
00:26:55,840 --> 00:27:01,820
For today, my update would be kind of what I already alluded to under item number seven.

299
00:27:01,820 --> 00:27:12,940
And the federal need a process for how the river is going to be operated, post-2026, is in full swing.

300
00:27:13,360 --> 00:27:17,700
I've literally been on five phone calls this morning already, so it's hot and

301
00:27:17,700 --> 00:27:17,960
heavy.

302
00:27:18,360 --> 00:27:24,940
We're trying to reach an agreement that doesn't require litigation, but

303
00:27:24,940 --> 00:27:29,180
we're obviously keeping our powder dry and looking at what the federal government

304
00:27:29,180 --> 00:27:34,100
government actually comes out with to make the decisions necessary to ultimately protect

305
00:27:34,100 --> 00:27:40,400
this community. So without having seen the latest iteration of a record of decision,

306
00:27:40,580 --> 00:27:46,900
it's hard for me to comment beyond that. But just be assured that as soon as we have it

307
00:27:46,900 --> 00:27:51,560
in our hands, we'll be reviewing it carefully and be ready to make recommendations to the board

308
00:27:51,560 --> 00:27:54,040
as appropriate for what future actions we should take.

309
00:27:55,520 --> 00:27:57,680
Okay. Anybody have any comments or questions?

310
00:27:59,660 --> 00:28:00,100
Nope.

311
00:28:00,780 --> 00:28:02,460
Okay. That concludes your post to the agenda.

312
00:28:02,920 --> 00:28:05,100
Okay. The second time set aside for public comment.

313
00:28:05,280 --> 00:28:08,940
Anybody wishing to speak on any sort of out of water authority?

314
00:28:09,160 --> 00:28:11,620
Item to please come forward and say it's about your name for the record.

315
00:28:20,260 --> 00:28:24,400
Yes. My name is Judith Clark and I live here in Las Vegas.

316
00:28:24,800 --> 00:28:28,780
And I know when you're sitting here talking about $6 million, $16 million,

317
00:28:29,340 --> 00:28:33,000
You know, $900 a month doesn't sound much.

318
00:28:33,820 --> 00:28:38,160
And I think you guys think there's not a lot of people out here that are concerned about this.

319
00:28:38,560 --> 00:28:40,360
The problem is when you have your meetings.

320
00:28:41,120 --> 00:28:43,700
A lot of people work, can't make it at night.

321
00:28:43,880 --> 00:28:48,380
We all saw what happened with the septic tanks when we had a meeting in the evening,

322
00:28:48,380 --> 00:28:50,180
and people could actually attend them.

323
00:28:50,580 --> 00:28:52,980
There was a great turnout for that.

324
00:28:53,420 --> 00:28:57,180
I think if you guys would do the same thing you'd see that turnout would be just as good.

325
00:28:57,920 --> 00:29:03,840
Fortunately, I'm retired and I can be here, but unfortunately, I'm retired and I'm on a fixed income.

326
00:29:04,300 --> 00:29:07,300
Now I thought I had planned my retirement extremely well.

327
00:29:07,800 --> 00:29:14,080
Little did I know that it would be my water bill that would put a kink in my retirement plan.

328
00:29:14,420 --> 00:29:22,220
Who expects their water bill to go up in one month, from about $50 a month, up to $900 a month.

329
00:29:22,660 --> 00:29:24,660
Nobody expects that to happen.

330
00:29:24,660 --> 00:29:29,460
I've had to get rid of trees, I've had to get rid of lawns, I've done everything

331
00:29:29,460 --> 00:29:30,520
I possibly can.

332
00:29:31,000 --> 00:29:37,480
My husband is 90, I'm 70 plus years old and every day I go out and check my meter

333
00:29:37,480 --> 00:29:43,220
to make sure that something hasn't been left on because I can't afford these kinds of

334
00:29:43,220 --> 00:29:43,520
water bill.

335
00:29:44,040 --> 00:29:46,020
And now you guys are getting $16 million.

336
00:29:47,060 --> 00:29:52,400
Give it back to us, were the ones that made this happen or part of made it happen?

337
00:29:52,400 --> 00:29:59,240
I know we didn't do it all, but when do you start thinking of the people living here in Las Vegas?

338
00:30:00,000 --> 00:30:29,600
Again, everybody keeps mentioning the heat. It just gets hotter and hotter. And like I said, we've lost six trees. I've had to take out six trees on my property because of the grass that I had to take out. And I do keep a little bit of grass because unfortunately somebody put a tortoise in my yard, and he needs something to eat. So he gets to eat this little, it's probably four feet by five feet that I keep for him to eat. And I mean, I just wish you guys would have these meetings so people can come and you can really

339
00:30:29,600 --> 00:30:33,680
and understand how upset people are about this.

340
00:30:34,040 --> 00:30:34,680
Thank you.

341
00:30:35,060 --> 00:30:39,400
But, ma'am, if you would like to leave your contact information in your address,

342
00:30:39,860 --> 00:30:42,940
how can I reach out to you about the-

343
00:30:43,420 --> 00:30:44,300
Your water fill.

344
00:30:45,180 --> 00:30:50,500
My address is 3425 Maverick Street, Las Vegas, Nevada, 899 108.

345
00:30:51,580 --> 00:30:53,140
And do you want my phone number?

346
00:30:53,560 --> 00:30:58,440
Well, you don't want to give it publicly, but if you want to give it to someone right behind you,

347
00:30:58,440 --> 00:30:59,620
I'll take it.

348
00:31:00,000 --> 00:31:00,180
Okay.

349
00:31:00,900 --> 00:31:03,480
Are you off of Cheyenne and Rainbow?

350
00:31:03,760 --> 00:31:03,900
Yes.

351
00:31:04,200 --> 00:31:04,480
Okay.

352
00:31:18,000 --> 00:31:19,260
Mr. McSwayne, you can come up.

353
00:31:22,270 --> 00:31:23,470
Thank you, Madam Chairalor.

354
00:31:23,570 --> 00:31:26,110
McSwayne again for the record with Water Fairness Coalition.

355
00:31:27,050 --> 00:31:29,890
Thank you for the indulgence and the comments regarding the meeting.

356
00:31:30,090 --> 00:31:35,410
I didn't want to leave the impression that the written minutes that I normally provided have

357
00:31:35,410 --> 00:31:36,530
not been included they have.

358
00:31:37,030 --> 00:31:43,930
It's just encapsulating my comments and relegating it only to my written comments provided.

359
00:31:43,930 --> 00:31:47,230
But it doesn't read the same way when you search.

360
00:31:47,690 --> 00:31:51,250
So that's why I'm asking that there'd be a different way of doing it.

361
00:31:51,430 --> 00:31:52,110
So thank you for that.

362
00:31:55,420 --> 00:31:58,640
I want to talk about AB 356.

363
00:31:58,880 --> 00:32:01,620
Director Stewart has repeatedly asked a very simple question,

364
00:32:02,320 --> 00:32:06,080
what are the consequences for noncompliance at the end of the year?

365
00:32:06,920 --> 00:32:15,040
In fact, that question's actually been asked repeatedly at presentations given by S&WA representatives throughout the valley at different times, and I've been present for those.

366
00:32:15,040 --> 00:32:21,820
And as I recall the discussion at the last meeting, Mr. Ensmerger indicated that something addressing this issue would be coming before the board soon.

367
00:32:22,720 --> 00:32:33,660
But now, before this board has publicly considered and adopted whatever those consequences are going to be, I was personally contacted about reports that Mr.

368
00:32:33,700 --> 00:32:41,940
Ensmerger told Berkshire Hathaway that they'd better get with their commercial customers because people in commercial areas who still have grass are going to have their water shut off.

369
00:32:42,860 --> 00:32:46,400
If that report is accurate, we have a much bigger problem.

370
00:32:47,160 --> 00:32:54,100
AB 356 states that beginning January 1st, 2027, the Colorado River Water may not be used to irrigate non-functional turf.

371
00:32:54,720 --> 00:32:59,140
That is not the same thing as saying that all water service to a commercial property will be terminated.

372
00:33:00,120 --> 00:33:07,200
Has a decision already been made about the consequences of non-compliant that has not yet been presented to this board or disclosed to the public?

373
00:33:07,200 --> 00:33:19,440
And most importantly, when you say shut off their water, do you mean prohibiting Colorado River water from being used to irrigate non-functional turf as a statute provides, or do you mean terminating water service to an entire commercial property?

374
00:33:20,460 --> 00:33:34,000
This is particularly troubling because AB 356 and SNWA's implementation and enforcement of it is currently, as you know, subject to active litigation, including challenges concerning SNWA's authority and due process protections.

375
00:33:34,000 --> 00:33:47,180
Against that backdrop, it's even more important that neither the public nor the business community be threatened with an enforcement consequence that has not been clearly identified, legally supported, and publicly adopted.

376
00:33:48,020 --> 00:33:58,860
It should not be represented to this board, that the consequences of noncompliance are still coming while simultaneously telling the business community what the consequences of most will be.

377
00:33:59,400 --> 00:34:12,680
If that is, in fact, going to be the enforcement policy, then the public deserves to know when that decision was made by whom, under what legal authority and why this board is only now being told that an enforcement policy is forthcoming.

378
00:34:13,220 --> 00:34:18,280
And I thank you for your time and I do have my comments written for the record.

379
00:34:18,860 --> 00:34:19,460
Thank you.

380
00:34:20,340 --> 00:34:22,600
Anyone else wishing to speak on public comment?

381
00:34:22,600 --> 00:34:27,240
Seeing no one, I'm going to go ahead and are you coming?

382
00:34:35,620 --> 00:34:40,940
Cheryl Purdue, 3201, Plosite Rafael, Las Vegas Nevada 8902.

383
00:34:41,940 --> 00:35:00,260
I'm interested in finding out what is being done proactively by the Southern Nevada Water Authority regarding negotiations with the Department of Interior and the Bureau of Land Management about bringing an alternative source of water, an additional source of water.

384
00:35:00,260 --> 00:35:30,240
into the Colorado River. You seem to only want to solve this problem by conservation. Conservation is great, but it's not the only answer. And I hear nothing, nothing from anybody in the Southern Nevada Water Authorities Administration or the Las Vegas Valley Water District regarding anything that is being done. It takes time, it takes lots of time, and it takes money. And it should be started. And my request to you is to find

385
00:35:30,240 --> 00:35:33,160
Find out if there is anything currently being done.

386
00:35:35,340 --> 00:35:36,380
Okay, thank you.

387
00:35:36,560 --> 00:35:38,060
We can't have dialogue back and forth.

388
00:35:38,420 --> 00:35:40,380
So, okay, anyone else wishing to speak?

389
00:35:41,320 --> 00:35:45,820
I could have all the speakers that want to speak come up, so I don't miss anybody.

390
00:35:47,020 --> 00:35:49,840
Okay, then I'll make you my last speaker, okay.

391
00:35:50,640 --> 00:35:53,980
My name is Laura Weber, W-E-B-E-R.

392
00:35:54,540 --> 00:35:59,140
I would like to just request, based on some of the other comments made,

393
00:35:59,140 --> 00:36:07,140
that the authority consider quarterly or maybe once or twice a year holding a meeting at

394
00:36:07,140 --> 00:36:12,320
a more appropriate time for the general public to participate and give their feedback.

395
00:36:13,300 --> 00:36:18,120
Without that, it seems like there are a lot of decisions being made without the general

396
00:36:18,120 --> 00:36:19,240
public's comments.

397
00:36:19,940 --> 00:36:25,920
And I think to have a greater sense of trust with our water authority and transparency that

398
00:36:25,920 --> 00:36:27,800
that our community would really appreciate

399
00:36:27,800 --> 00:36:29,500
that you consider that for the future.

400
00:36:29,940 --> 00:36:30,460
Thank you.

401
00:36:31,140 --> 00:36:33,820
Thank you, see you in no other public comment.

402
00:36:34,280 --> 00:36:35,960
I'm going to go ahead and close the public comment

403
00:36:35,960 --> 00:36:36,880
and we are adjourned.