August 2025 Board Meeting

Top 3 Key Takeaways

Financial pressures requiring immediate action: The GSA's bank balance has dropped to critically low levels at $84,000, prompting the board to approve a letter requesting an advance from Kings County on Prop 218 tax collections. Without this advance of up to 80-85% of the projected $573,000 in collections, the agency would face a negative bank balance before February when tax revenues typically arrive.

Well mitigation program development progressing: Staff presented detailed plans for a domestic well mitigation program that will address wells going dry due to declining groundwater levels. The program will partner with organizations like Self-Help Enterprises and require new funding mechanisms beyond current assessments, likely through water extraction fees, as the current Prop 218 assessment doesn't cover mitigation costs.

Allocation and subsidence management plans nearing completion: The Grower Committee is focusing on finalizing three critical components for the revised Groundwater Sustainability Plan - the allocation plan, subsidence management plan, and well mitigation plan. Frank reported the committee hopes to present an allocation plan to the board by the October meeting, projecting requirements through 2040 with 5-year step-downs.

Additional Key Takeaways

• Well registration has stalled at only 28-29% of parcels registered, with only 3 small parcels registered since the last meeting
• The JPA amendment was approved unanimously by Kings County Board of Supervisors and is now being circulated to other member agencies for approval
• State draft subsidence management practices document requires GSAs to maintain certain groundwater elevations above "critical head values" to prevent permanent subsidence
• Current subsidence management discussions involve changing from 2023 baseline to 2020 baseline and potentially increasing minimum thresholds from 6 feet to 7 feet to match neighboring GSAs
• Self-Help Enterprises is currently serving 7 wells in the GSA area that may be GSA responsibility, with funding for their program expiring in November
• Staff is coordinating with the City of Lemoore on potential municipal water connections for impacted wells near existing water lines
• The sustainable yield study between the five subbasin GSAs has been approved and will determine how water allocations are divided between GSAs

Board Actions

Approved:

• Minutes from July 17, 2025 meeting (3-0 vote, 2 absent)
• Financial reports through July 31, 2025 (3-0 vote, 2 absent)
• Letter to Kings County requesting Prop 218 advance (3-0 vote, 2 absent)

Next Steps & Engagement

The next Grower Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 26 at 9:00 AM in the Lemoore City Council chambers. The next regular board meeting will be held September 18, 2025 at 5:30 PM. Growers can contact the GSA at office@southforkkings.org or attend meetings to provide input on the developing allocation plan and other policies that will directly impact farming operations through 2040.