Kings County sets permanent salary adjustments for two directors tied to Mid Kings River GSA roles

Kings County supervisors on Sept. 9 set permanent salary adjustments for the director of community development and the director of finance to reflect ongoing duties now that the county has assumed governance of the Mid Kings River Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA).

Terry Martinez, county administrative officer, told the board that on July 29 the county and the City of Hanford approved a restated joint powers agreement that transitioned governance of the Mid Kings River GSA fully to the county and the city. As a result, Chuck Kenny, the county—s director of community development, began serving as general manager of the GSA on Aug. 5 and Eric Urena, the director of finance, began serving as treasurer on Sept. 16, Martinez said.

Martinez said both directors had been receiving a temporary 10% special salary upgrade while performing the additional duties. The board approved adding both directors to a permanent 10% salary adjustment effective Sept. 1, 2025. Under the approved change, the director of community development—s pay would increase from $14,828 per month to $16,310 per month (including management benefits) and the director of finance—s pay would increase from $14,763 to $16,240 per month (including management benefits), Martinez said. Staff said the costs were included in the adopted budget.

Supervisor Joe Neves and other board members praised work on groundwater governance during discussion and the board voted to set the compensation as recommended.

Why it matters: The adjustments formalize compensation for county staff who are carrying out sustained GSA responsibilities after governance transitioned to county oversight. The changes align pay with ongoing duties rather than a temporary project allowance.

County staff said the Mid Kings River GSA will continue as a standing responsibility and the salary adjustments were processed in accordance with personnel rules and budget approvals.