1. Landowner Assessment Process Moving Forward The Board is forming an ad hoc committee to develop the landowner rate assessment process, which will determine how costs are allocated to landowners in the Authority's jurisdiction. The committee will include representatives from Rosedale, Kern Delta, 7th Standard Annex, Kern Tulare, and landowner outreach coordinator Debbie, representing various stakeholder perspectives in this critical funding decision.
2. Land IQ Cost-Sharing Agreement Approved The Board approved an 85-15 cost split for Land IQ services, where irrigated acres will pay 85% and non-irrigated land will pay 15% of costs. This service helps determine actual water usage for non-districted lands, with the Authority's share totaling almost $60,000, and is essential for proving water use compliance under the Groundwater Sustainability Plan.
3. State Water Board Pushing for JPA Amendment The State Water Board has flagged concerns about the Authority's Joint Powers Agreement termination date of May 2026, viewing it as potentially undermining long-term commitment to managing unmanaged lands. The Board is working on removing the termination provision to create an ongoing JPA without a set expiration date, though individual members can still withdraw with 180 days notice.
4. Grant Funding Progress The Authority received over $1 million in grant funding from DWR, with payment request number 11 processed and discussions underway to extend the grant agreement through December for basin study work.
5. Coordination Agreement Updates Minor amendments to the coordination agreement with other GSAs are being finalized, primarily reflecting changes to monitoring networks and the addition of a well mitigation program in the basin.
6. DWR Subsidence Guidance Released New draft Best Management Practices for subsidence were released by DWR on July 24th, with comments due September 22nd and workshops scheduled in Clovis (September 9th) and Delano (September 10th).
7. Financial Status The Authority has approximately $93,000 in checking with recent disbursements of about $22,000, primarily for administration and technical work.
8. County Participation Update Kern County is reviewing additional information on APNs (Assessor Parcel Numbers) and planning another meeting to discuss potential participation in groundwater management.
The next regular board meeting is scheduled for late August 2025. Landowners and agricultural operators can engage with the Authority by contacting Executive Director Jenny or attending future board meetings. The Authority continues landowner outreach efforts and welcomes increased participation from the agricultural community. For questions or comments, contact the Authority at 3200 Rio Mirada Drive, Bakersfield, CA 93308.
