Resident alleges Navy‑related conflicts of interest for Ridgecrest mayor and councilman

At the Feb. 18 meeting, resident Mike Senat accused Mayor Travis Endicott and Councilman Kyle Blades of having a conflict of interest arising from their employment with the Navy and said they should be barred from participating in matters involving the Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority (IWV GWA).

Senat said the council and the IWV GWA have been advised and that Endicott was removed from representing the city at mediation. He asserted the Navy’s prior claimed reserved water right — which he said had been estimated at about 7,650 acre‑feet per year — was reduced by a judge to 2,008 acre‑feet per year in the Phase 1 portion of a comprehensive adjudication. He also urged the city to dismiss the law firm that has represented both the city and the groundwater authority, arguing the attorneys had exposed the city to civil and criminal liability.

Council received the comments but did not debate or act on the allegations during the meeting. The agenda had included a closed session on water‑rights litigation; the attorney reported that one item was discussed and that no reportable action was taken.

Why it matters: Allegations of conflicts tied to elected officials’ outside employment raise questions about when recusal is required and who decides whether officials must step aside on specific matters. The comment referenced pending litigation and mediation tied to local groundwater rights.

What’s next: The council did not take public action in response to Senat’s allegations on Feb. 18. Closed session addressed water‑rights litigation but the attorney said there were no reportable actions at that time.