Irrigation Districts Inflation Adjustments

Under current law, each member of a board of directors of an irrigation district (board of directors) and each judge of election of an irrigation district (judge of election) receives compensation of not more than $100 per day. In addition, a contract entered into by a board of directors that involves a consideration that exceeds $250,000 but does not exceed $400,000 must be authorized and ratified in writing by no less than one-third of the electors of the irrigation district according to the number of votes cast at the last district election. A contract that exceeds $400,000 must be authorized and ratified at an election in the manner provided for the issuance of bonds.

To account for inflation, the bill:

• Increases the amount of compensation for members of a board of directors and judges of election to up to $150 per day; and
• Requires that, to be binding, a contract entered into by a board of directors that exceeds $400,000 but does not exceed $650,000 must be authorized and ratified in writing by no less than one-third of the electors of the irrigation district according to the number of votes cast at the last district election, and a contract that exceeds $650,000 must be authorized and ratified at an election in the manner provided for the issuance of bonds.

The bill requires that the dollar amounts related to compensation of members of a board of directors and judges of election, as well as those related to contracts entered into by a board of directors, must be increased every 5 years, beginning July 1, 2029, according to the rate of inflation.

(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)