The San Miguel Community Services District declined to join a new agency that will charge fees for pumping groundwater from the Paso Robles Groundwater Basin. The basin is managed by five Groundwater Sustainability Agencies, four of which voted to create a Joint Powers Authority that would have the power to levy fees. On Thursday night, the San Miguel Community Services District Board of Directors voted 2-2 on a motion to join the Joint Powers Authority. Because the board was tied, the motion failed, and the agency missed the Friday deadline to join the Joint Powers Authority.

Other groundwater news:

• The Montecito Journal: Groundwater sustainability: an approved plan for Montecito