During the Ridgecrest City Council meeting on June 18, 2025, significant concerns were raised regarding the governance and transparency of the Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA). A local resident, Tyce Staley, voiced strong opposition to the agency's recent actions, highlighting a perceived lack of accountability and public engagement.

Staley criticized the GSA for accumulating substantial legal costs and for enacting laws that he believes grant excessive power to the agency. He expressed frustration over the handling of public comments, arguing that merely including them in lengthy documents does not constitute genuine listening. Staley recalled a previous effort where thousands of signatures were collected against the GSA's fee implementations, which he claimed were disregarded during the COVID-19 pandemic when public access to meetings was restricted.

He pointed out that the water district has recently shifted its stance on the GSA's direction, indicating dissatisfaction with current practices. Staley also raised concerns about the frequent use of closed sessions, suggesting that this has been exploited to avoid public scrutiny. He emphasized that many discussions should be open to the public, as mandated by the Brown Act, and criticized instances where council members acted without full council approval.

Staley concluded his remarks by urging the council to reconsider the GSA's authority and to prioritize community feedback, stressing that residents are unhappy with the agency's trajectory. His comments reflect a growing demand for transparency and accountability in local governance, particularly regarding water management issues that directly affect the community.