Canal Safety Poster Contest
- Last Updated: September 07 2017
The submission form and complete list of rules is available here. 
MID Reduces Water Rate
- Last Updated: August 24 2017
MADERA IRRIGATION DISTRICT REDUCES WATER RATE
The Madera Irrigation District (District or MID) Board of Directors elected to reduce the cost of water to its District growers beginning September 1, 2017. Starting September 1, 2017, the Original District rate will be dropped to $65 per acre foot and the Subordinate rate will be lowered to $130 per acre foot.
“MID’s Board of Directors and staff are pleased that through careful budgeting and management water costs can be reduced beginning in September. MID encourages District growers to take advantage of the opportunity during this time period to utilize high quality surface water at a low rate” stated Thomas Greci, General Manager.
“During our Annual Grower’s Meeting, presentations were given on the benefits of surface water including eliminating or reducing energy (PG&E) costs, decreasing amendment and water treatment costs, along with increasing production rates. MID is attempting to assist District growers by making the use of this water an extremely economical decision” stated Jim Erickson, MID Board President.
Madera Irrigation District will continue accepting Crop Water Applications and water orders can be coordinated through MID’s Operations Department. For the Crop Water Distribution Policy, click here.
Request for Grower Participation
- Last Updated: August 16 2017
REQUEST FOR GROWER PARTICIPATION
FOR ON-FARM RECHARGE RESEARCH & DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM
Madera Irrigation District. in cooperation with Sustainable Conservation, is researching the option of On-Farm Recharge (OFR). OFR - using flood water to recharge groundwater on active cropland - is potentially an affordable and practical water management tool that can move groundwater basins, including the Madera Subbasin, toward a sustainable balance, but this option needs grower participation and further research.
The purpose of the Request for Participation (RFP) is to identify growers within Madera Irrigation District interested in participating in OFR on a portion of their vineyard or tree block. Researchers will conduct an on-farm water quantity analysis measuring the potential of this form of recharge. This grower will have control of how much and how long water is applied to their field/the demonstration site. However, a critical factor in selecting participating growers is that surface water must be applied in excess of ETc to fulfill the objective of this program to recharge the underlying aquifer.
Reasons for Growers to Participate
Growers who have implemented OFR for decades site a variety of agricultural production and water quantity and quality benefits. Some of these benefits include: flushing salts below the root zone, improving well water quality by percolating surface water into the underlying basin, reducing lift/pumping costs, and keeping their well from collapsing.
For the complete RFP, click here.
For the Application, click here.
Annual Growers Meeting
- Last Updated: May 01 2017
General Manager Thomas Greci presents to growers at the Annual Growers Meeting held on April 26, 2017.
For the Growers Meeting presentation, click here.
Press Release - MID Recognized as District of Distinction
- Last Updated: June 23 2017
MADERA IRRIGATION DISTRICT RECOGNIZED AS A DISTRICT OF DISTINCTION
The Madera Irrigation District (District or MID) was recently awarded the “District of Distinction” accreditation by California’s Special District Leadership Foundation (SDLF). The District was recognized in 2016 for its achievements in the areas of governance, transparency, finances, and board conduct.
“Madera Irrigation District is proud to receive this highly prestigious recognition by SDLF. It is a testament to the emphasis placed on good governance by the District’s Board of Directors and Staff in recent years” stated Thomas Greci, General Manager.
The District of Distinction accreditation is among California’s highest government honors. Out of almost 2,100 special districts in California, MID is one of only thirty-three (33) special districts to receive this distinction. To receive the accreditation, a special district must demonstrate the completion of essential governance transparency requirements including conducting ethics and harassment training for all board members, properly conducting open and public meetings, and filing financial transactions and compensation reports to the State Controller in a timely manner. The District received the prerequisite Transparency Certificate from SDLF in 2015. SDLF is an independent, non-profit organization formed to promote good governance and best practices among California’s special districts through certification, accreditation and other recognition programs.
In addition to the recognition through SDLF, the MID was acknowledged by California State Assemblyman Frank Bigelow with a State Assembly Resolution for receiving the District of Distinction accreditation.
(Pictured from left) David Aranda, SDLF President, MID General Manager Thomas Greci, MID Board Secretary Andrea Sandoval, MID Assistant General Manager Dina Nolan, and SDLF Chief Executive Officer Neil McCormick
(Pictured from left) Director Dave Loquaci, Director Rick Cosyns, Assemblyman Frank Bigelow, Assistant General Manager Dina Nolan, Board Secretary Andrea Sandoval, Board President Carl Janzen, Director Jim Erickson, and General Manager Thomas Greci
Press Release MID Assessment Transfer
- Last Updated: November 22 2016
MADERA IRRIGATION DISTRICT AND MADERA COUNTY HAVE
PARTNERED FOR BILLING AND COLLECTION OF ASSESSMENTS
Madera Irrigation District (MID) and the County of Madera (County) have partnered to transfer the billing and collection duties for MID’s assessments and standby charges to the County. The transfer will take effect this year with MID’s 2017 assessments and 2016 standby charges. MID’s assessments and standby charges will be reflected on the County tax bill as a one-line item direct charge titled “MADERA IRRIGATION DISTRICT” and will be subject to the due dates and penalties set by the County of Madera. While MID will no longer mail invoices for assessments and standby charges, MID will still continue to bill directly for water usage. Also, prior years’ delinquent assessments will continue to be paid to MID.
“We’ve been working on this for several months to make the transition for MID customers as simple and understandable as possible”, stated Tracy Kennedy, Madera County Treasurer Tax Collector. “When our property tax bills are mailed in mid-October, the 18,000 MID landowners will see a line item on their property tax bills that will simply state “MADERA IRRIGATION DISTRICT” and directly across from that heading will be your annual assessment. As is customary, the annual assessment will be divided into two installments and collected together with your property tax payments” continued Tracy Kennedy.
“MID appreciates the County’s cooperation on this transition that will benefit over 18,000 landowners in MID and Madera County” stated Thomas Greci, MID General Manager. “Additionally, MID encourages anyone with questions related to this transition to contact MID’s office or visit the MID website for more information.”
MID and the County believe this change will be a benefit to landowners and taxpayers, simplifying the payment process as one payment can be made for County property taxes, MID assessments, and MID standby charges. Also, as an added benefit, the County accepts a variety of payment options including credit card, debit card, electronic check, cash, check, cashier’s check, and money order (credit card, debit card, and electronic check payments will incur a convenience fee). Both Madera Irrigation District and Madera County Tax Collector’s office are committed to making this a smooth transition for the constituents served.
If you have any questions regarding this change or your bill, please call Madera Irrigation District directly at 559-673-3514.
District Transparency Certificate
- Last Updated: October 22 2015
TRANSPARENCY CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE AWARDED TO MADERA IRRIGATION DISTRICT
The Madera Irrigation District (District or MID) has been awarded a District Transparency Certificate of Excellence by the Special District Leadership Foundation (SDLF) in recognition of its outstanding efforts to promote transparency and good governance. SDLF is an independent, non-profit organization formed to promote good governance and best practices among California’s special districts through certification, accreditation and other recognition programs.
“This award is a testament to the District’s commitment to open and transparent government,” said Thomas Greci, General Manager. “MID strives for transparency in all of our practices. I believe that for an organization to serve the public it represents, it must be transparent.”
In order to receive the award, a special district must demonstrate the completion of eight essential governance transparency requirements, including conducting ethics training for all board members, properly conducting open and public meetings, and filing financial transactions and compensation reports to the State Controller in a timely manner. The District fulfilled fifteen website requirements including providing readily available information to the public such as board agendas, past minutes, current District budget, and three years of financial audits. The District also had to demonstrate outreach to its constituents that engaged the public in its governance. This was accomplished through newsletters, a Facebook account, a Twitter account, annual growers meetings, presentations at various service clubs, and special community engagement projects such as the logo design contest the District held earlier this year.