Workshop #1
Monday, August 24, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Hanford Civic Auditorium,
400 N Douty St, Hanford, CA 93230
Workshop recording coming soon.
Local funding
Proposed Funding Plan
Help Keep Groundwater Management Decisions Close to Home
The proposal
A two-part funding package
The Mid-Kings River GSA is proposing a two-part funding package including a land-based assessment and groundwater pumping fee to meet Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) requirements and regain local control over groundwater management.
Public Workshops
To learn more about this funding plan, we are offering two public workshops. Both workshops are available for either in person or virtual attendance. Meeting details are listed below.
Spanish interpretation will be available in person and online. Servicio de interpretación en español está disponible en persona y en línea.
Workshop #2
Tuesday, August 25, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Hanford Civic Auditorium,
400 N Douty St, Hanford, CA 93230
Workshop recording coming soon.
Public Hearing
Tuesday, September 29, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Board of Supervisors Chambers,
Kings County Government Center
1400 W Lacey Blvd, Hanford, CA 93230
To implement the proposed land-based assessment, the Mid-Kings River GSA is conducting a Proposition 218 election, which requires preparation of an Engineer’s Report. For the groundwater pumping fee, the GSA is following Proposition 26 procedures, and has prepared a Cost-of-Service Study. These documents provide the basis for the proposed funding package, including the proposed rates, and services to be funded.
Documents
Prop 218 Public Notice
Prop 26 Public Notice
Engineer’s Report
Approved July 28, 2026
Cost-of-Service Study
Accepted July 28, 2026
Resources
Announcement
General Handout
Grower Handout
Resident Handout
Workshop Slides – August 24 & 25, 2026
Press Releases
Background
How Did We Get Here?
Under SGMA, groundwater rules have changed dramatically over the last decade.
2014
California passes the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), requiring brand new local agencies like the Mid-Kings River Groundwater Sustainability Agency to form and achieve sustainability by 2040. SGMA was passed to address chronic groundwater overdraft in basins across the state, including the Tulare Lake Subbasin.
2024
The State Water Resources Control Board placed the Tulare Lake Subbasin on probation after determining its Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP or Plan) did not provide sufficient evidence that the basin would achieve groundwater sustainability by the required 2040 deadline. The State cited concerns related to groundwater level declines, land subsidence, impacts to drinking water wells, and lack of reliable funding to implement the Plan.
Today: At Risk
Probation continues, resulting in increased State oversight, groundwater pumping fees, and reporting requirements. If probation continues, the State will take further action and advance its own groundwater plan. Under a fully State-managed plan or “Interim Plan”, local flexibility would be greatly reduced as decisions like how much groundwater landowners can pump are made by state regulators with less tailoring to local conditions.
Local leadership
Who We Are
We help guide local decisions
The Mid-Kings River GSA is led by a Stakeholder Advisory Committee made up of local farmers, landowners, and community leaders who understand the impacts of groundwater management decisions because they live and work here too. Our leadership is working to address State concerns and demonstrate measurable progress, but the GSA currently lacks the funding needed to exit State Water Board probation and manage groundwater sustainably for our area.
Service area
Who Is Affected?
The Mid-Kings River GSA encompasses approximately 97,300 acres in the northeastern portion of the Tulare Lake Subbasin in Kings County. It serves the communities of Hanford, Armona, Home Garden, Hardwick, and surrounding rural and agricultural lands.
What Happens Next?
Property owners affected by the funding proposal will receive notices and a ballot in the mail in August to participate in the decision-making process.
The land-based assessment will follow Proposition 218 election procedures, including landowner balloting to consider approval of a maximum rate. The groundwater pumping fee will follow Proposition 26 procedures and will include public noticing and consideration for adoption by the Board at a public hearing.
I am a Grower
Learn what the proposed funding package means for growers.
I am a Resident
Learn what the proposed funding package means for residents.
If Funding is Approved
- Local Landowners Guide Solutions
- Tailored Policies to Local Conditions
- Continued Stakeholder Involvement
- Accountability to Local Landowners
- Local Plans With Transparent Fees
If Funding Fails
- Increased State Oversight
- One-Size-Fits-All Policies
- Reduced Local Influence
- Top-Down Groundwater Control
- State Developed Plans With Unknown Costs
Where the money goes
What the Funding Package Supports
01
Locally Driven Solutions
A locally led, locally funded Mid-Kings River GSA will give our community autonomy to develop its own rules and frameworks that give landowners as much flexibility as possible to operate within changes driven by SGMA.
02
Greater Stakeholder Involvement
Mid-Kings River GSA has expanded landowner engagement through its Stakeholder Advisory Committee and ongoing public outreach. Funding would support continued collaboration as local groundwater management strategies are implemented.
03
Basin-Wide Coordination
Funding would support collaboration among GSAs across the Tulare Lake Subbasin to update the Groundwater Sustainability Plan, coordinate technical studies and reporting, and address State concerns through a unified implementation strategy.
04
Transparency & Accountability
Groundwater monitoring, groundwater accounting, modeling, and data management systems that provide the information needed to track groundwater conditions, measure progress toward sustainability, and support transparent decision-making and accountability to landowners.
How to Participate in the Funding Package Decision
Groundwater Fee Public Comment
To participate in the groundwater pumping fee decision, you may submit a public comment using one of the following methods:
- 1. By mail: 1400 W. Lacey Blvd., Bldg #6, Hanford, CA 93230
- 2. By email: mkrgsa@co.kings.ca.us
- 3. Online: Complete the public comment form below
Assessment Ballot
Ballots for the Prop 218 election can be submitted in one of three ways:
- 1. By mail: Return your ballot using the return envelope provided with your ballot package. The return envelope does not need to be signed. Please ensure the ballot itself is signed where indicated before mailing.
- 2. Ballot drop box: Drop off your ballot in the elections (drive-up) drop box located outside of the Kings County Elections Department adjacent to the parking lot. Kings County Government Center, 1400 W. Lacey Blvd., Building #7, Hanford, CA 93230. See the map below for the drop box location to ensure your ballot is placed in the correct box.
- 3. Hand-deliver: Bring your ballot to the public hearing on September 29.
Ballots must be received by the GSA prior to the conclusion of the public hearing.
If you need a replacement ballot, please contact our third-party election consultant, MK Elections, at (209) 259-6740.
Ballot Drop Box Location
Contact Us
If you have any questions or would like to discuss the proposed funding package, contact the Mid-Kings River GSA by email at mkrgsa@co.kings.ca.us or call (559) 852-2670.