| ITEM #: 15. DATE: 03/23/2026 AI #:3102 |
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CITY COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
| SUBJECT: | SALT RIVER PROJECT (SRP) NON-RESIDENTIAL LAWN CONVERSION PROGRAM ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT |
| STAFF PRESENTER(S): | Barbara Chappell, Water Services Director; Andrew Pirrone, Water Conservation Supervisor |
SUMMARY
Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power District (SRP) is offering up to $225,000 of financial support over a ten-year period to the City of Goodyear (City) to support the City's current and ongoing efforts to convert non-residential lawn/turf landscaping within the City's water service area into low-water use landscaping.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
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RECOMMENDATION
Approve SRP Non-Residential Lawn Conversion Program Assistance Agreement and provide authorization and direction to the City Manager, or their designee, to take actions and execute documents necessary to carry out the intent of the Agreement. (Anthony Dudley, Interim Water Services Director)
FISCAL IMPACT
The Agreement (Attachment A) provides a SRP match to rebates paid by the City for the conversion of lawn/turf landscaping located within non-residential properties into low-water use landscaping. SRP funding will augment the City's current funding for such conversions, which are included in the Water Services Department's (Water Services) approved budget.
Water Services staff time will be needed to process the paperwork required to receive the funding under this Agreement. However, minimal impact is expected as Water Services has existing processes in place to provide support for prior grants with similar requirements.
Water Services staff time will be needed to process the paperwork required to receive the funding under this Agreement. However, minimal impact is expected as Water Services has existing processes in place to provide support for prior grants with similar requirements.
BACKGROUND AND PREVIOUS ACTIONS
Part of the City's efforts to protect and bolster the resilience of the City's water resource portfolio include conservation efforts. The City's existing program supports the conversion of lawn/turf landscaping that is not being used for active recreational purposes into low-water use landscaping. The program's focus is on lawn/turf landscaping within non-residential properties, such as commercial properties and homeowners' association (HOA) common areas, within Goodyear's water service area.
SRP has been a valuable partner in the City's water conservation efforts. The City and SRP have an existing agreement in place where SRP provides funds that support water budgeting software for large landscape water customers to help with efficiency and leak detection. The Agreement (Attachment A) furthers the City's conservation efforts by supplementing available funding for non-residential lawn/turf conversions.
SRP has been a valuable partner in the City's water conservation efforts. The City and SRP have an existing agreement in place where SRP provides funds that support water budgeting software for large landscape water customers to help with efficiency and leak detection. The Agreement (Attachment A) furthers the City's conservation efforts by supplementing available funding for non-residential lawn/turf conversions.
STAFF ANALYSIS
Under the terms of this Agreement, SRP will match the City's payments for non-residential lawn/turn conversions up to $5,000 per approved rebate with a maximum of $25,000 per SRP's fiscal year. The Agreement is for ten years but is subject to SRP's Board of Directors approving funding for the continued program.
Although the City has made progress with its conversions within the City's water service area, there still remains more than 350 acres of lawn/turf landscaping within non-residential properties. Replacing lawn/turf landscaping that is not used for active recreational purposes with low-water use landscaping bolsters the resilience of Goodyear’s water resource portfolio in addition to maximizing the social and economic value of where our water is utilized within the city.
The financial support from SRP under this Agreement will allow for an increased amount of conversions within the City's water service area.
Although the City has made progress with its conversions within the City's water service area, there still remains more than 350 acres of lawn/turf landscaping within non-residential properties. Replacing lawn/turf landscaping that is not used for active recreational purposes with low-water use landscaping bolsters the resilience of Goodyear’s water resource portfolio in addition to maximizing the social and economic value of where our water is utilized within the city.
The financial support from SRP under this Agreement will allow for an increased amount of conversions within the City's water service area.