Eddie Lopez

The U.S. Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold an in-person and virtual public meeting on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. PDT.

USIBWC, EPA, and local officials will provide updates on the status of New River improvements on both sides of the border, agency collaboration, and the water sampling study.

The public meeting will be held in person at:

City of Calexico
Fernando “Nene” Torres Council Chambers
608 Heber Avenue,
Calexico, CA 92231

The public meeting will also be held virtually. Click here to join the meeting. If possible, it may be helpful for you to test connectivity on your own prior to the meeting by clicking on the “Join” link and ensuring your camera and microphone are functioning. Or join by phone: +1 915-320-4718,,815483226# Phone conference ID: 815 483 226#

If you would like to speak during the public comment period, please sign up ahead of time by contacting Frankie Pinon at frankie.pinon@ibwc.gov or 915-832-4716 by noon on Friday, August 14, 2026.

Media Contact :
Frankie Pinon
Email: frankie.pinon@ibwc.gov
Phone: 915-832-4716

The mission of the U.S. Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission is to protect Americans from exposure to Mexican sewage, ensure fair allocations of water from the Colorado and Rio Grande Rivers, efficiently and effectively maintain and operate critical flood infrastructure, and reduce border flood hazards.

The County of Imperial is reviewing today’s appellate court decision regarding CTR’s Hell’s Kitchen project and consulting with legal counsel to fully evaluate the ruling and any potential next steps. The County remains committed to supporting responsible lithium and geothermal development that protects our environment, creates high-quality local jobs, and delivers lasting economic benefits for Imperial County residents. Because the matter remains under active legal review, the County will not comment further on its future direction at this time.

Program establishes a transparent, performance-based framework to compete for private lithium investment while protecting existing County and community revenues

Imperial County, CA — The Imperial County Board of Supervisors today voted 3-2 to adopt the Lithium Innovation and Competitiveness (LiNC) Program, establishing a standardized economic development incentive framework designed to strengthen Imperial County’s competitiveness for commercial lithium investment and support the continued development of Lithium Valley.

The LiNC Program is designed around a straightforward principle: private investment must occur before any reimbursement can occur. The Program does not provide upfront grants, cash payments, or funding to proposed projects. Instead, it allows the County to reinvest a limited portion of certain future tax revenues generated by a participating project after the project is developed and meets established performance requirements.

“Imperial County has spent years building the planning, environmental, workforce, infrastructure, and economic development foundation necessary to support Lithium Valley. LiNC is intended to help translate that work into private investment, construction, jobs, commercial production, and ultimately new revenues for our communities,” said Chairwoman Peggy Price.

Adoption Does Not Automatically Provide Incentives to Any Project
Adoption of the LiNC Program does not approve an incentive or reimbursement for any individual company or project. Any company seeking to participate in the LiNC Program must submit a complete application, provide an independent Fiscal and Economic Impact Analysis, demonstrate compliance with applicable Program requirements, and have its application considered by the Imperial County Board of Supervisors during a public hearing. A project must also enter into a Board-approved reimbursement agreement before receiving any incentive.

This process is intended to provide the Board and public an opportunity to evaluate the economic and fiscal merits of each proposed incentive individually rather than providing automatic benefits based solely on a company’s participation in the lithium industry.

No Project, No Tax Revenue, No Reimbursement

The County emphasized that no money is being issued as a result of today’s action. There is currently no commercial lithium extraction occurring in Imperial County that would generate Lithium Extraction Excise Tax revenue under Senate Bill 125 (SB 125). Under the LiNC framework, projects must invest first, meet performance requirements, generate eligible revenues, and only then become eligible for reimbursement. The Program highlights that projects that fail to reach commercial operations or do not generate tax revenues will not receive reimbursements.

The Program’s two incentive components are structured around new revenues generated by participating projects. The Construction Sales and Use Tax Reimbursement is funded from a limited portion of the County’s local 1% share of eligible sales and use tax actually paid by the participating project during construction. No reimbursement begins during construction. Payments begin only after the project reaches commercial operation and are then distributed over five years on a quarterly basis, allowing the County to retain and utilize the project-generated revenue before reimbursements are made. The SB 125 Capital Investment Reimbursement is similarly funded only from the County’s own share of Lithium Extraction Excise Tax revenues actually generated and received after the participating project begins commercial lithium production. The Program does not reduce or redirect funding allocated to cities, Tribes, directly or indirectly affected communities, or the Lithium Community Benefits Program. Those allocations remain unchanged, with any LiNC reimbursement borne solely by the County’s allocation. The County’s Lithium Extraction Excise Tax Funding Plan, which was adopted on September 10, 2024, can be read here: https://lithiumvalley.imperialcounty.org/community/lithium-excise-tax/#docaccess-2e557202eeff71038c014ee7a63a65a9

To be clear, if development does not occur, the associated tax revenues do not materialize and there is nothing for the County to reimburse.

Competing for Long-Term Investment
Imperial County is home to one of the world’s largest known lithium brine resources, but County officials emphasized that possessing the resource does not guarantee that private capital and downstream supply chain will be invested locally. Lithium projects compete for financing and investment against projects in other states and countries offering their own combinations of tax incentives, infrastructure support, workforce programs, and economic development assistance.

The LiNC Program is intended to improve Imperial County’s position during a critical period when domestic lithium supply chains are being established. Establishing commercial production locally could also help position the region to compete for future lithium extraction, processing, conversion, battery manufacturing, recycling, equipment suppliers, and other downstream investments.

The Program includes an Early Investment Incentive for qualifying projects meeting near-term investment and permitting milestones and a Standard Investment Incentive designed to continue supporting commercial-scale investment as the local industry matures. LiNC does not alter environmental review or permitting requirements, or guarantee approval of any lithium development project.

Ultimately, the purpose of LiNC is to help turn proposed development into operating projects that generate new revenues and long-term economic benefits for Imperial County and its communities. If commercial development does not occur, these new revenues and economic benefits will not be realized. By strategically reinvesting a limited portion of future project-generated revenues, the County is working to attract the private investment necessary to create high-paying jobs, expand infrastructure, generate new property tax and other public revenues, stimulate indirect economic growth, attract additional supply-chain investment, and build a substantially larger, long-term revenue base for the region.

Learn More

The complete Lithium Innovation and Competitiveness (LiNC) Program, including eligibility requirements, incentive limits, taxpayer safeguards, funding structures, illustrative funding examples, and frequently asked questions, is available on the Imperial County website:https://lithiumvalley.imperialcounty.org/#docaccess-4c6148b1b0f47b39b32a6163c977088d

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The County of Imperial Department of Public Works will begin work on Neckel Road between Austin Road and La Brucherie Road.

School Commute Impact

Drivers traveling through the Imperial area for school drop-off and pick-up should expect delays and allow extra travel time. Routes using Neckel Rd., Austin Rd., and La Brucherie Rd. may be impacted.

Drivers are encouraged to use caution in the area, watch for crews, and follow all posted signs and traffic control.

Chairwoman Peggy Price to Present State of the County on November 5 at the Imperial County Fairgrounds

Imperial County, CA – Imperial County invites members of the media to attend the 2026 State of the County, presented by Imperial County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Peggy Price, on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at the Imperial County Fairgrounds.

The State of the County will provide an opportunity to reflect on Imperial County and highlight the work, priorities, and progress taking place throughout the region.

Members of the media are encouraged to attend and cover the event.

Imperial County, CA — The Imperial County Registrar of Voters announces that the candidate filing period for certain contests scheduled for the November 3, 2026 General Election has been extended to 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.

Pursuant to the California Elections Code, when an incumbent officeholder does not file a Declaration of Candidacy by the 88th day before the election, the candidate nomination period for that contest is extended for an additional five calendar days. The extended filing period provides additional time for eligible candidates to file for these offices.

The following contests have been extended:

• Imperial County Office of Education, Area II, Trustee
• Calipatria Unified School District, Trustee
• Imperial Unified School District, Trustee
• Central Union High School District, Trustee
• Brawley Elementary School District, Truste
• McCabe Union Elementary School District, Trustee
• Westmorland Union Elementary School District, Trustee
• Bombay Beach Community Services District, Director — Full and Partial Terms
• Heber Public Utility District, Director
• Imperial Valley Healthcare District, District 2
• Imperial Valley Healthcare District, District 3
• Imperial Valley Healthcare District, District 7
• Palo Verde County Water District, Director
• Salton Community Services District, Director
• Seeley County Water District, Director — Full and Partial Terms
• Winterhaven Water District, Director

Incorporated Cities: Information regarding candidate nomination periods for contests within incorporated cities should be obtained directly from the respective city. Interested candidates for city offices should contact the city in which they are seeking office for information regarding filing requirements, deadlines, and whether the nomination period has been extended.

Interested candidates for the contests listed above are encouraged to contact the Imperial County Registrar of Voters’ Office for information regarding candidate filing requirements and procedures.

The extended filing period closes promptly at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.

For additional information, please contact the Imperial County Registrar of Voters’ Office at (442) 265-1060.

Imperial County Free Library services will be paused for inventory from Monday, August 3, through Friday, August 14, 2026.

Regular library services will resume on Monday, August 17, 2026.

During this period, library locations will remain open only as Cooling and Hydration Centers.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

El Centro, CA – Imperial County Registrar of Voters Linsey Dale reminds prospective candidates that the nomination period for local offices appearing on the November 3, 2026 General Election ballot will close at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 7, 2026.

If an incumbent officeholder does not file nomination documents by the August 7th deadline, the nomination period for that office will be extended until 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, for all eligible candidates except the incumbent.

Voters throughout Imperial County will elect representatives to numerous local offices, including:

Imperial County Board of Education – Areas I and II
Imperial Community College District – Areas 2, 5, and 7
Calexico Unified School District
Calipatria Unified School District
Coachella Valley Unified School District – Areas 1 and 2
Holtville Unified School DistrictImperial Unified School District
San Pasqual Valley Unified School District
Brawley Union High School District
Central Union High School District
Brawley Elementary School District
El Centro Elementary School District
Heber Elementary School District
Magnolia Union Elementary School District
McCabe Union Elementary School District
Meadows Union Elementary School District
Mulberry Union Elementary School District
Seeley Union Elementary School District
Westmorland Union Elementary School District
Bombay Beach Community Services District
Coachella Valley Water District – Division 5
Heber Public Utility District
Imperial Valley Healthcare District – Districts 1, 2, 3, and 7
Palo Verde County Water District
Salton Community Services District
Seeley County Water District
Winterhaven Water District
City Council offices in the Cities of Brawley, Calexico, Calipatria, El Centro, Holtville, Imperial, and WestmorlandCity Clerk for the City of Imperial

Several jurisdictions have offices with both four-year and two-year terms. A complete list of offices, terms, and filing requirements is available from the Imperial County Registrar of Voters.

Candidates for county, school, and special district offices may obtain and file nomination documents at the Imperial County Registrar of Voters Office located at 940 West Main Street, Suite 206 in El Centro. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Candidates seeking elective office in the Cities of Brawley, Calexico, Calipatria, El Centro, Holtville, Imperial, or Westmorland should contact their respective City Clerk’s Office for filing procedures and deadlines.

For additional information regarding candidate filing or the November 3, 2026 General Election, contact the Imperial County Registrar of Voters at (442) 265-1060 or visit www.Elections.ImperialCounty.org.

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Community members who are considering running for public office are invited to attend a free Candidate Training Workshop on Monday, August 3, 2026, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the Ag Center, located at 485 Business Parkway in Imperial.

The workshop is being presented by the Coalition of Labor, Agriculture and Business of Imperial County (COLAB), in partnership with the Imperial County Registrar of Voters. The event is intended to provide prospective candidates with an overview of the election process and the requirements associated with seeking public office at the school district, city or county level.

Topics will include:

• Candidate eligibility, filing requirements and nomination documents
• Important election dates and deadlines
• Campaign finance and reporting requirements
• Fundraising, recordkeeping and campaign planning
• Voter outreach and building a campaign team
• Transitioning from candidate to elected official

Imperial County Registrar of Voters Linsey Dale will provide information regarding candidate filing requirements and the steps necessary to qualify for placement on the ballot. Adriana Murillo Kirby of Kirby Business Solutions will discuss campaign finance, reporting requirements and common financial mistakes candidates should avoid.

Imperial County District 2 Supervisor Martha Cardenas-Singh will also participate as an invited speaker, sharing her firsthand experience from the campaign trail, including deciding to seek public office, developing a campaign strategy, fundraising, reaching voters and transitioning into the role of an elected official.

The workshop is free to attend, but advance registration is encouraged because space is limited. Refreshments will be provided.

To register or request additional information, contact Shelby Trimm at shelby@colabimperial.com.