Paso Robles names representatives to new Paso Robles Groundwater JPA as county helps stand up agency

The Paso Robles City Council on April 1 appointed Mayor John Hammond as the city's primary representative and Councilmember Chris Beal as the alternate representative to the newly formed Paso Robles Groundwater Basin Joint Powers Authority, and unanimously authorized San Luis Obispo County to perform initial administrative actions to convene the JPA's first meeting.

The appointments and administrative authorization are intended to ensure a smooth transition from the Basin's cooperative committee structure to a formal JPA that will govern the basin under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. Christopher Lackal, a city staff member, told the council the JPA replaces the earlier memorandum of understanding and that the county will provide administrative support until the JPA appoints staff and officers.

The JPA consolidates the participating groundwater sustainability agencies to oversee the groundwater sustainability plan (GSP) for the Paso Robles basin. Lackal said the city's current representatives on the prior cooperative committee are familiar with the GSP and recommended their continued participation to provide continuity.

The council voted 4–0 to appoint Hammond and Beal and to authorize the county to perform tasks such as calling the first meeting and providing Brown Act notices “until the JPA appoints staff and officers,” the staff report says. The first meeting was scheduled for early April; staff said the county will assist with logistical notices and meeting set-up.

Supporters at the meeting urged the council to join the JPA rather than try to operate alone. Planning commissioner Sharon Roden, speaking as a private citizen, told the council that remaining outside the JPA would require Paso Robles to create its own standalone GSP and duplicate reporting, monitoring and administrative costs, and could push the city beyond state deadlines.

Opponents and some members of the public pressed for clarity about the JPA’s budget and meeting locations. City staff said the JPA will develop its governance and budget with input from member agencies and that administrative help from the county is limited to getting the JPA operational.

The appointments and administrative authorization passed unanimously. The council indicated it would review representation and participation as the JPA organizes and begins work.

Votes recorded on the matter are reflected in the city’s official minutes and the staff report accompanying the item.