Mid-Kings River GSA Meeting (05/12/2026)

The Kings County Board of Supervisors held the Mid-Kings River Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) meeting on May 12, 2026, focusing primarily on groundwater management, regulatory compliance, and funding strategies. Key procurement-related discussions included the presentation of a draft budget outlining operational and variable costs for the GSA over the next five years, including staffing, legal and engineering consulting services, monitoring well installations, software subscriptions (Watermark and Land IQ ET data), and outreach efforts. The budget anticipates funding through a Prop 218 election involving land-based assessments and pumping fees, with detailed cost breakdowns per acre and per acre-foot. The board discussed the potential financial impact if the Prop 218 election does not pass, noting that the county's general fund currently covers most costs but expressing concern about sustainability. Coordination among multiple GSAs to submit a single groundwater sustainability plan was emphasized, along with ongoing efforts to register wells, update groundwater models, and comply with state water resource control board requirements. Outreach and education efforts, including workshops and stakeholder engagement, were also highlighted as critical to the success of the funding and management plans. No contract awards or vendor selections were explicitly mentioned, but the budget includes consultant and software service costs, indicating upcoming procurement activities.