Butte supervisors return Vina GSA domestic-well seat to ad hoc committee after public objections

The Butte County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 9 voted to send the nomination for the vacant Vina Groundwater Sustainability Agency (Vina GSA) domestic well-user seat back to the GSA ad hoc committee for further consideration, after residents and stakeholders asked the board to reopen the application period.

The action came after the clerk's office reported the vacancy and an ad hoc committee recommendation that Jim Graden be appointed to fill the unexpired term ending Oct. 10, 2027. Melissa Kits, assistant clerk of the board, told supervisors the nomination ad hoc committee “recommends the board appoint Jim Graden to serve the vacant unexpired term ending 10/10/2027.”

Why it matters: The Vina GSA represents groundwater users in the Vina subbasin and implements requirements of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). The domestic-well seat provides a direct voice for private well owners in policy and technical decisions that affect groundwater pumping, monitoring and possible future restrictions.

Board and public debate focused on whether the appointment process considered all eligible applicants and whether an existing alternate—identified by several commenters as having served in a stakeholder role—should receive preference. Supervisor Durfee noted that on other county commissions, “typically, when a position becomes open, it is usually the alternate who has been serving,” and asked why the alternate was bypassed. County counsel explained the Vina GSA joint powers agreement governs the nomination process and that the board could accept the ad hoc committee recommendation or send the matter back for further review.

Public commenters, including representatives of agricultural and well-user interests, urged reopening the application period. Toby Giesen Tanner, representing agricultural groundwater users, said recruitment was difficult during summer and asked the county to “reopen its application process to consider these new candidates at this or a future hearing.” Anne Dawson, who has served on the Vina GSA Stakeholder Advisory Committee, recommended Claudia (Dr.) Rollins, the stakeholder alternate, saying Rollins had “done an impeccable job.”

Jim Graden, one of the applicants, said he would bring technical experience and argued domestic well users “are the canaries in the coal mine” if groundwater levels drop. Graden said the GSA is moving into a technical phase where board oversight of consultants will be important in the next 18 months.

After discussion and public comment, a motion to return the appointment to the ad hoc committee passed; in the meantime, the existing alternate will continue to serve in the stakeholder role, the board said.

Discussion vs. decision: The board distinguished direction (send the nomination back for additional consideration and allow the alternate to serve temporarily) from a final appointment. Supervisors discussed possible long-term changes to the JPA process but noted any rule changes would require agreement of the other member agencies.

What's next: The ad hoc committee will re-review applicants, including late submittals and letters from stakeholders, and return a new recommendation to the board at a future meeting. The board did not record a roll-call vote in the transcript; the motion passed on the floor.

Ending note: The Vina GSA seat remains open until the ad hoc committee completes its review; the board indicated it wants fuller applicant consideration because the remaining term will shape near-term groundwater policy.