Mid-Kings River GSA Meeting (09/29/2026)

The Mid-Kings River GSA special meeting of the Kings County Board of Supervisors on September 29, 2026, focused on funding groundwater sustainability work. The board considered the Prop 218 land-based assessment election and Prop 26 water-extraction rates, intended to fund implementation of the GSA’s groundwater sustainability plan and support efforts to exit state probation. After a public hearing—including a property owner’s concern about potentially paying overlapping assessments—the board adopted Resolution 26-02 certifying the Prop 218 protest-ballot results and establishing the assessment, as reflected in the meeting’s motion and vote. The board also unanimously adopted Resolution 26-03 setting Prop 26 extraction rates, including a stated maximum rate of $19.24 per acre-foot; staff said the board can set lower rates in future years.

The board unanimously adopted Resolution 26-04 approving the FY 2026–27 budget of $2,467,400. It also approved an amendment to Agreement 26-03 with Provost & Pritchard for additional outreach and election services, adding $78,695 to the contract budget. The funding is intended to support GSA operations, groundwater-plan updates and required reporting, mitigation programs, and repayment over time to the jurisdictions that previously funded GSA operations. Board members discussed an estimated $400,000–$500,000 owed to those jurisdictions and a proposed initial $100,000 annual repayment. The meeting also emphasized that establishing local funding would help preserve local control and improve the GSA’s ability to secure state approval of its amended plan.