Westminster City Council
SUBJECT
Title
Refund of Unexpended Funds from the West Orange County Water Board for Cathodic Protection.
End
From: Jake Ngo, Public Works Director
Requested by: Administration
Prepared by: Noelani Leal, Management Analyst
____________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommendation
Authorize an increase to Water Fund Revenue Account No. 55500-39069 to receive a refund from the West Orange County Water Board in the amount of $1,168,400.
end
BACKGROUND
In 2020, the Mayor and City Council approved the West Orange County Water Board (WOCWB) annual operational budget for Fiscal Year 2020/21. Within the budget was the approval of Cathodic Protection for the OC-9 and OC-35 pipelines. Cathodic Protection uses an electrical charge to prevent corrosion of the metal in the aging water lines and thus extending their lifespans. The anticipated cost of eight-million dollars was to be collected from member agencies over an eight-year period. Westminster’s annual share was $254,000.
In December 2025, WOCWB’s consultant, Ardurra, performed an assessment of the OC-9 and OC-35 pipelines and determined that Cathodic Protection was not an option at this time.
At the July 15, 2026 WOCWB regular meeting, the Board voted 5-0 in favor of returning unexpended funds to each member agency. A total of $4.6 million dollars will be returned to the member agencies, prorated by each agency’s ownership percentage of the WOCWB as follows:
|
Agency |
Percent Owner |
Total Return |
|
Huntington Beach |
56.1% |
$2,580,600 |
|
Westminster |
25.4% |
$1,168,400 |
|
Seal Beach |
14.3% |
$ 657,800 |
|
Garden Grove |
4.2% |
$ 193,200 |
|
Total |
100% |
$4,600,000 |
The WOCWB will retain a portion of the collected funds to perform needed repairs (plus contingency) as well as correct any ancillary issues discovered during repairs and ongoing maintenance. The funds will also be used for the next recommended condition assessment in Fiscal Year 2029/30.
FISCAL IMPACT
An increase in the Water Funds Revenue Account No. 55500-39069 in the amount of $1,168,400 is needed to receive the refund of unexpended funds from the WOCWB.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed as to form.
CONCLUSION
Each member agency’s City Council needs to approve the refund from the WOCWB. The WOCWB will vote to ratify the amended budget at the October 21, 2026, regular meeting. The refunds would be returned to each member agency in November 2026.
ATTACHMENTS
1. None.
REVIEWED BY
Erin Backs, Finance Director
City Attorney’s Office
Christine Cordon, City Manager