Kings County groundwater agency to host workshops ahead of land assessment fee election

Hanford-area landowners are invited to two workshops to learn about proposed new land-based and groundwater pumping fees.

The Mid-Kings River Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) will host two workshops explaining the fees and election process. One fee is proposed under Proposition 218 election and would charge landowners $26.84 per acre of land. The other is a Proposition 26 proposed fee that would charge well owners up to $19.24 per-acre-foot pumped.

While the Prop. 218 fee will need to be passed by landowners, the Prop. 26 fee will need approval by the Mid-Kings GSA board.

The first workshop will be held August 24 at 1 p.m. The second workshop will be held August 25 at 5:30 p.m. Both events will be held at the Hanford Civic Auditorium, 400 N. Douty Street and will include online options here: 

• Monday, August 24, 1 p.m.:  https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85177753702
• Tuesday, August 25, 5:30 p.m.:  https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81119241972

Registration is not required. 

“Everyone is welcome,” Amer Hussain, Mid-Kings’ engineering consultant said at an August 17 grower advisory meeting.

A final public hearing on the fees will be held by the GSA at the Kings County Board of Supervisors Chambers, 1400 W. Lacey Blvd., September 29 at 1 p.m.

Funds from the Prop. 218 fees would cover the GSA’s administrative and staff costs to revise its groundwater plan. 

Meanwhile, funds from the Prop. 26 fees would cover costs for programs and policies included in the GSA’s groundwater plan such as its domestic well program, which repairs wells damaged by excessive groundwater pumping.

Landowners should not bring their ballots to the workshops.

Ballots are due by September 29 at 1 p.m. Those ballots may be mailed, dropped off at a ballot box or brought to the final public hearing.

The drop-off ballot box is outside of the Kings County Elections Department, 1400 W. Lacey Blvd Building #7 and is labeled “Ballot Drop Off” and marked with red, white and blue images.