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Ridgecrest council hears Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority update amid sharp public criticism
Summary
Councilman Hayman summarized the GA’s recent actions and budget; public commenters, including a longtime advisory committee member and a caller, sharply criticized aspects of the Groundwater Authority’s plans and communications, raising legal and financial concerns that councilmembers acknowledged but did not vote on tonight.
Councilman Hayman told the Ridgecrest City Council on Oct. 15 that the Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority met Oct. 8, adopted its 2026 budget and reported a net expenditure decrease of about $200,000 while flagging a large legal-fee line and ongoing planning work for a proposed pipeline.
"We had one primary agenda item, which was adoption of the review and adopt the 2026 budget, which it was adopted," Councilman Hayman said, adding that Blue Mountain Management had kicked off pipeline planning and the GA secured a roughly $2.7 million grant to help complete planning work. He also flagged anticipated legal expenditures, transcribed in the meeting record as roughly $1.7–$1.875 million.
During public comment, Renee Westelusk, who identified herself as a member of the GA’s policy-advisory committee, said the committee spent years drafting a…
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