Madera arts board weighs reuse of Lincoln School and smaller, multiuse theater to cut $60M price tag Board members, architects and city staff discussed repurposing the old Lincoln School and shifting from a 480‑seat, sloped‑floor theater to a smaller, flat‑floor multiuse design to lower costs, with staff asked to convene agencies to study funding and ownership options.

Madera County is reimagining its downtown arts center by considering a smaller, flexible theater design and repurposing the historic Lincoln School to save costs and foster community creativity.

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#MaderaCounty #CA #CitizenPortal #CommunityFunding #ArtsReuse #TheaterDesign

#Hydrosat extends its water monitoring for 220,000 acres in #MaderaCounty, providing daily 10m field data to support #SGMA compliance and irrigation.

🔗 spacewatch.global/2026/03/hydrosat-renews-...

#SpaceWatchNews #AgriData #AgTech

Board tables amendment to community wellness center design after debate over evacuation priorities County staff sought a $1,017,265 amendment to expand design work for a Community Wellness/Resiliency Center after a $10 million grant increased the project from ~18,000 to ~30,000 sq ft; supervisors raised concerns about siting and whether funds should instead address mountain-area evacuation facilities, and the item was tabled to April 7 for more information.

Madera County supervisors have hit pause on a controversial $1 million amendment for a Community Wellness Center, sparking a heated debate over whether funding should prioritize evacuation facilities in the mountains instead.

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#MaderaCounty #CA #CitizenPortal #PublicHealth

Madera County approves two Prop. 68 groundwater recharge agreements with landowners The Board approved agreements with the Haines Family Trust and Volte Family Farms to carry out groundwater recharge activities under a Proposition 68 grant; the board previously authorized a construction contract and recorded both votes as 4-0.

Madera County is taking a giant leap towards sustainable water management by approving key agreements for groundwater recharge under a Proposition 68 grant!

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#MaderaCounty #CA #CommunityInvolvement #CitizenPortal #WaterSustainability #GroundwaterRecharge

CSAC was honored to recognize Senator Anna Caballero as a 2025 Distinguished Service Award recipient during today's Board of Directors meeting. Representing #MercedCounty, #MaderaCounty, and #FresnoCounty, she is a fierce advocate for safeguarding California’s water and counties statewide.

GSA advances Prop 68‑funded Chowchilla recharge project after rebid; local landowner seeks reconsideration for separate turnout The committee reviewed bidding for a Prop 68‑funded Chowchilla recharge project to capture flood flows and reduce subsidence, recommended awarding after a rebid produced responsive offers, and heard a landowner ask the GSA to reconsider a turnout tied to a different grant-funded project.

A crucial project in Madera County aims to tackle subsidence and flood capture, but a local landowner is raising concerns about missing infrastructure that could impact many!

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#MaderaCounty #CA #WaterConservation #CommunityEngagement #CitizenPortal #FloodManagement

GSA defers purchase of groundwater accounting platform as growers push for more outreach; approves engineering contracts The committee voted to approve a one‑year and a three‑year engineering contract for reporting and allocation support while deferring a decision on a county accounting platform amid mixed grower survey results and concerns from small operators.

Madera County's GSA committee has approved significant engineering contracts for groundwater reporting while putting a hold on a costly accounting platform, sparking debates among local growers.

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#MaderaCounty #CA #CitizenPortal #AgriculturalSupport #WaterManagement

GSA appropriates $2.398 million for domestic well mitigation and approves program rule amendments Committee approved appropriating $2,398,000 of previously collected GSP project fee revenue to fund the domestic well mitigation program and recommended rule and resolution amendments to streamline implementation, including a nonrefundable deposit for ineligible applicants and a three‑bid requirement.

Madera County's GSA has approved the allocation of $2.398 million to enhance its domestic well mitigation program, paving the way for streamlined implementation and vital support for local landowners.

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#MaderaCounty #CA #WaterConservation #CitizenPortal #SustainableDevelopment

Madera County GSA weighs state subsidence guidance and potential impacts on grower allocations At a Jan. committee meeting, growers and staff debated how new state subsidence guidance could force changes to groundwater allocations and measurement rules; staff said the guidance could require stopping subsidence in hotspots while balancing economic impacts.

Madera County growers are on edge as new state guidance on subsidence could reshape groundwater rules and threaten local agriculture.

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#MaderaCounty #CA #CitizenPortal #AgriculturalEconomy #WaterSustainability #GroundwaterManagement

Madera County board authorizes counsel to seek inspection warrant and temporary restraining order over activity at 18742 Road 21 After closed session the Board of Supervisors unanimously authorized county counsel to file for an inspection warrant and seek a temporary restraining order to stop what counsel described as an "unlawful and dangerous operation" at 18742 Road 21 in Madera.

Madera County officials are taking decisive action against what they call an "unlawful and dangerous operation" at a local property.

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#MaderaCounty #CA #LegalRemedies #PublicSafety #CitizenPortal #CommunityAccountability

Board approves district attorney military equipment policy and purchase of nine surplus rifles with storage safeguards Following a presentation tied to AB 481, the board approved a draft District Attorney military equipment policy, and authorized purchase of nine surplus rifles (9 × $350 = $4,900) with a condition that the DA's office adopt a take‑home/secure storage policy equal to or mirroring the sheriff's policy.

Madera County just approved a controversial military equipment policy, allowing the District Attorney's office to purchase nine surplus rifles—what does this mean for local law enforcement and community safety?

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#MaderaCounty #CA #LawEnforcementPolicy #PublicSafety

Sheriff's office gets nearly $1.9M in transfers for CalAIM implementation; smaller wellness grants recognized The board approved transfers totaling $1,918,010 to support CalAIM implementation in county jails and recognized $76,598 in unanticipated revenue for first-responder wellness and a software tool for homeless response. Undersheriff Brian Estibs outlined how funds will reimburse salaries, create an expenditure account, and support wellness and operational improvements.

Madera County's Board of Supervisors just approved nearly $1.9 million in funding to enhance jail wellness programs and boost community support efforts!

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#MaderaCounty #CA #PublicSafety #CitizenPortal #HealthWellness #HomelessnessResponse

County moves $3 million in local impact fees into jail capital project leveraging SB 10-22 funds Board approved transfer of $3,000,000 in public protection impact fees into the JLSB 1022 capital project. County staff said the overall project totals about $27.5 million and leverages approximately $19 million from SB 10-22 and $1.3 million from Community Corrections Partnership funds.

Madera County is investing $3 million into a vital jail expansion project that promises to enhance public safety and mental health services—get ready for a transformative upgrade!

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#MaderaCounty #CA #MaderaCountyPublicProtection #CommunityDevelopment #MentalHealthRehabilitation

Madera County highlights anti-trafficking programs and $269,948 in targeted funding County social services and partner nonprofits outlined programming funded with $269,948 (FY24-25) for anti-trafficking prevention and survivor services, including training (Project Protect) and transitional housing support for youth and survivors.

Madera County is taking a bold step against human trafficking with nearly $270,000 dedicated to training and vital services for at-risk youth.

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#MaderaCounty #CA #CommunitySupport #HumanTraffickingAwareness #YouthProtection #CitizenPortal

Board approves Gateway Charter with National Park Service to formalize county input on Yosemite-area planning The board approved a Gateway Charter to coordinate with the National Park Service and neighboring gateway counties (Mariposa, Mono, Tuolumne). The agreement creates an advisory forum (non-decision-making under federal rules) to convey local input on park planning, reservations and access issues.

Madera County has officially partnered with the National Park Service to create a Gateway Charter, ensuring local voices are heard in Yosemite-area planning!

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#MaderaCounty #CA #ParkPlanning #CommunityInput #CitizenPortal #AdvisoryGovernance

#New: 2 were killed & 3 others were hurt in a DUI #crash in #MaderaCounty at Ave 13 & Rd 23 Wednesday before 11 AM.

Board hears Pioneer Community Energy impact study but takes no action amid supervisor concerns Pioneer Community Energy presented a feasibility study and invited the county to file CPUC paperwork to explore joining a CCA. Several supervisors said they lacked sufficient information or comfort to proceed and the item produced no motion; staff will continue to track regional CCA developments.

Pioneer Community Energy's proposal for Madera County to join a community choice aggregator faces pushback from supervisors who demand more clarity before taking action.

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#MaderaCounty #CA #CommunityOutreach #CitizenPortal #EnergyChoice

Madera GSA adopts domestic‑well mitigation rules to assist households with dry wells The Groundwater Sustainability Agency approved a program offering up to $35,000 per eligible dry domestic well in the Madera Sub‑Basin, with eligibility rules (owner 12+ months, home habitability, wells under 30 years old) and payback lien provisions for short‑term transfers.

Madera County has launched a new program offering up to $35,000 to assist households with dry wells, but eligibility rules and payback provisions are stirring up questions among residents.

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#MaderaCounty #CA #CommunityAssistance #GroundwaterManagement #CitizenPortal

Board approves HydroSat contract for GSA remote sensing after growers debate methods and fees After a multi‑month procurement and a grower questionnaire, the board authorized a HydroSat remote‑sensing contract (not to exceed $493,020) for groundwater measurement, with direction to staff to consider fee reductions and stewardship of meter/options costs.

Madera County has officially approved a $493,020 contract with HydroSat for remote-sensing services, igniting a debate among growers about measurement methods and potential cost savings!

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#MaderaCounty #CA #PublicProcurement #RemoteSensing #GrowerOutreach #CitizenPortal

County presents user‑fee study and advances fleet policy; noise ordinance amendment set for second reading County staff presented a comprehensive user‑fee study showing uneven fee recovery and possible fee increases; the board approved a fleet services agreement with Unified Fleet Services and set a second reading for an amended noise ordinance to allow case‑by‑case off‑hour work approvals.

A new user-fee study reveals Madera County could boost revenue from $7.6 million to $13.2 million, raising questions about cost recovery and public service subsidies.

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#MaderaCounty #CA #PublicPolicy #CitizenPortal #AnimalAdoption #RevenueAdequacy

Madera Subbasin GSA advances domestic‑well mitigation setup, approves program manager and remote‑sensing contracts; eligibility and resale rules to return for 2 GSA directors approved contracts for program management (David's Engineering, ≈$513,896) and HydroSat remote sensing (≈$493,020) but deferred final adoption of mitigation rules. Staff will return with refinements on eligibility dates, resale/reimbursement terms and habitability criteria before the program launches in January 2026.

Madera Subbasin directors take crucial steps toward domestic-well relief while grappling with eligibility rules and concerns over fairness.

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#MaderaCounty #CA #CitizenPortal #GroundwaterSustainability #DomesticWellMitigation #CommunityInput

Madera County projects multi‑million‑dollar gap; board taps ARPA carve‑out and directs deeper cuts or new revenue County staff reported a $1.3 million deficit for FY24–25 and projected continuing shortfalls. The board approved using about $4.1 million in LATCF/ARPA funds to shore up reserves and directed staff to pursue $7.1 million in sustained service‑level reductions through 2030 unless new revenues are approved.

Madera County is facing a looming $7.1 million budget gap that could threaten public safety services, prompting urgent action from the Board of Supervisors.

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#MaderaCounty #CA #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #RevenueGeneration #BudgetReform

CA American Water proudly partnered with #teamsoria recently to support the Madera County Food Bank with a $2,500 donation! #SupportLocalFoodBanks #maderafoodbank #MaderaCounty #caleg #AD27 #teamsoria #maderacalifornia #caamericanwater

Madera County GSA outlines Prop 68-funded recharge projects and bidding timeline Staff presented Prop 68-funded recharge projects in the Chowchilla subbasin, described landowner agreements and said three construction contracts (two for Chachula 1, one for Chachula 2) will be bid pending DWR authorization, with roughly 900 acres available for recharge when water is available.

Exciting developments in Madera County as Prop 68-funded recharge projects aim to transform 900 acres of land into a vital water resource!

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#MaderaCounty #CA #CitizenPortal #CommunityPartnerships #WaterRecharge #SustainableAgriculture

Madera County GSA forwards HydroSat contract to full board after split grower feedback After months of outreach and a grower questionnaire, staff recommended a three-year HydroSat contract to consolidate satellite water-use measurement; growers urged retaining Land IQ as an option, and the committee voted to forward the HydroSat contract to the full board for further review and transition planning.

Madera County growers are divided over a proposed shift to HydroSat for satellite water measurement, raising concerns about the potential disruption of existing systems.

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#MaderaCounty #CA #CitizenPortal #VendorTransitions #WaterManagement #AgriculturalInnovation

Growers push back on proposed carryover decay and penalty increases at Madera County GSA meeting Growers and stakeholders sharply criticized staff proposals that would decay unused carryover credits and raise penalties, saying rule changes midstream would punish conservation and disrupt long-term planning; staff said options remain under study and more refined mapping and analysis are planned.

Growers in Madera County are pushing back against proposed water management changes, arguing that new penalties and rules could punish conservation efforts and disrupt their long-term plans.

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#MaderaCounty #CA #CitizenPortal #WaterConservation #PolicyReform

Madera County GSA adopts domestic well mitigation rules, hires Davis Engineering to run program The Madera County Groundwater Sustainability Agency committee approved rules for a domestic well mitigation program with a $35,000 per-property assistance cap and voted to contract Davis Engineering (not-to-exceed ~$514,000) to run program management, eligibility reviews and outreach.

Madera County just launched a new domestic well mitigation program offering up to $35,000 in assistance for homeowners facing well failures, but is it enough to cover the costs?

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#MaderaCounty #CA #CitizenPortal #WaterSustainability #CommunityAssistance #GroundwaterManagement

GSA committee backs forwarding HydroSat measurement contract amid grower push to keep LandIQ option Staff recommended a three‑year HydroSat contract after a grower questionnaire favored HydroSat (52%); growers and the Madera Ag Water Association urged keeping LandIQ as an option, citing an approximate 50/50 split in acreage using the two services. The committee agreed to forward the contract to the full board with a transition discussion.

Madera County's GSA committee is pushing for a switch to HydroSat for satellite measurement, but growers are divided over keeping the more familiar LandIQ option—what will the final decision mean for local agriculture?

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#MaderaCounty #CA #CitizenPortal #MeasurementMethods

Growers push back on carryover decay and penalty increases as GSA explores targeted demand management The committee reviewed allocation, penalty and carryover options. Growers and associations strongly opposed a proposed carryover decay policy and urged markets or replacement‑water costs instead; staff signaled targeted sub‑zones and DWR guidance could prompt additional restrictions.

Madera County growers are pushing back against proposed penalties and a controversial carryover decay policy that could impact long-term water conservation strategies.

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#MaderaCounty #CA #CitizenPortal #AgriculturalPolicy #GroundwaterSustainability #WaterManagement

Madera County GSA committee recommends domestic‑well mitigation rules, funds and program management contract The Madera County GSA committee recommended a letter to the state and draft rules creating a domestic well mitigation program that would reimburse homeowners up to $35,000 for replacement wells or connection to community water. Staff recommended contracting Davis Engineering to run the program (not-to-exceed ~$514,000).

Madera County is stepping up to help homeowners with dry wells, offering up to $35,000 for replacements or community water connections!

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#MaderaCounty #CA #CitizenPortal #WaterSustainability #EquitableAssistance #CommunitySupport