[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6287091,"mediaKeyId","2554456-1215a1c67a2c2a0a3b1c0400619e6cf4","parentId",2554456,"title","Votes at a glance: Kern County Board of Supervisors, March 11, 2025","audioSeconds",4885,"startMs",1118000,"endMs",6003000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2554456-1215a1c67a2c2a0a3b1c0400619e6cf4&start=1118&end=6003","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2554456-1215a1c67a2c2a0a3b1c0400619e6cf4/thumbnail_1118000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6287091/Kern-County/California/Votes-at-a-glance-Kern-County-Board-of-Supervisors-March-11-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6287091-4c12da720e738cbabeb63db43d3a6573/orig.mp4?Expires=1775415464&Signature=HM-6pXspv48HJvrzLw3GJt6XAw-ic8H7EdvLwPbnbDgWJ-l14FCzsxKxLPY-lgtg7eExOJN7Sukn0H71O~o0Xijb65KGTB0Bh0ch4UPNK-85KSzwvVUL6-a37UHnnIBBh8nFmf72e5W6oarO6KVOVp-idRwkpz3BpoEyBfFShnoDvv56S~3m3pcjzCW~dWP4M9MqarQClgOCQc7HhyWFtEf8TSGmLaymGXaY3UkxzXWE1O7RGMFnn3qjLJ3SOTOiD7FKw7H-hoHe9Q3k6pGT3qz3WeJcX4G-u37oH9aCY0k3kxpxOO8vBB8AcBjgQ2YfAV8mIAOUVfE4gYziC1NZ6w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kern County CA","date","2025-03-07T21:51:57Z","article","The Kern County Board of Supervisors took the following formal actions on March 11, 2025. Votes are listed as recorded in the meeting.

- Consent agenda (items listed on pages 2–10): Motion by Supervisor David Couch; motion approved, “All ayes.” The consent agenda included multiple routine items; Item 65 was withdrawn by the department and may be introduced later.

- Item 47: Purchase of two Type 1 “Firehawk” helicopters for firefighting and dual‑mission hoist rescue, presented by Kern County Fire Chief Denizio Mitchell. Item placed on the consent agenda and approved as part of consent. (Mover: Supervisor David Couch; vote: all ayes.)

- Resolution honoring Russell Stearns on his retirement after 36 years of service (auditor–controller / public works): Motion and second recorded; motion approved, all ayes.

- Proclamation: March 2025 declared American Red Cross Month in Kern County. Motion approved, all ayes. Hector Vasquez, Executive Director of the American Red Cross Kern County & Eastern Sierra chapter, accepted the proclamation and thanked volunteers for recent wildfire sheltering efforts.

- Appointment: Tina Stout appointed as community member at large to the Kern County Hospital Authority Board of Governors to fill a vacancy; term to expire June 30, 2027. Ballot tabulation reflected five votes for Stout; appointment effective immediately.

- Referral: Motion to refer a productivity audit of homelessness vendors and contracts to the FY25–26 budget process (mover: Supervisor David Couch; second: Supervisor Phillip Peters). Motion approved, all ayes.

- Budget guideline: The board received staff’s FY25–26 budget development report and approved the general fund contribution guideline directing departments to prepare budgets at current‑year levels while staff develops multiyear mitigation plans (mover: Supervisor David Couch; second: Supervisor Phillip Peters). Motion approved, all ayes.

- Receive and file: Kern County Cares canned food drive report (Golden Empire Gleaners collection total reported at 276,000 pounds). Motion to receive and file approved; vote recorded as four ayes, one absent (Supervisor Jeff Flores absent for that vote as noted at the time).

Notes: Where a mover or second was not recorded on the public record, the item is listed with the outcome as announced by the clerk. Items on the consent calendar are approved as a block unless a member of the public or a supervisor requests removal for separate consideration.

This roundup covers formal outcomes announced on March 11; it does not summarize the full public comment record or describe non-action discussion items.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Kern County Board of Supervisors 9:00 a.m. meeting for Tuesday, March 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A consolidated list of formal actions taken during the March 11 Kern County Board of Supervisors meeting, including consent approval, appointments, proclamations, and other motions.","taxTitle","Kern County, California","taxId",2913,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":46,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6287096,"Board refers productivity audit of homelessness vendors to budget process after public request",1369,4634000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2554456-1215a1c67a2c2a0a3b1c0400619e6cf4&start=4634&end=6003","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2554456-1215a1c67a2c2a0a3b1c0400619e6cf4/thumbnail_4634000.jpg","/articles/6287096/Kern-County/California/Board-refers-productivity-audit-of-homelessness-vendors-to-budget-process-after-public-request","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6287096-6b4e43b9c19d79b3e8bacce86de465f2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775415464&Signature=ZSWVVT4kqw~XR~HayThffiAX~i29DO2a2Be6FNneDN77eutaBIjGfHYMnPZim7UOMoCwjSEPAENmpzKflIVkLOcnlIcKoq-MBBqjBXCHoOO9nPB4bCo00YNPapuQbChIEdPrk~aJUyp5je6G~o15eGCXephVHQrY5h~fnnyZg-emj~6ovN5S2B5xwI8kMdLt21ZKOCrNEAyQTxczwODBnjjyuSz-HnYWEE2k3yRExwCyIIlEn5WJpPfJWWKpUAWk457nLpwcX7UDML6dlcaB3LvXoGHSHyQigoUD3LPr~iRnk9lNE5EMyOadkF~p36DFJ94rjSmJEzeGObpjE7BG6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Kern County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted March 11 to refer a request for a productivity audit of homelessness vendors to the county budget process.

Mike Turnipseed of the Kern County Taxpayers Association asked the board to commission an audit examining contracts, outcomes and program efficiency following critical reporting about homelessness spending in other jurisdictions. “We respectfully request that you make a referral to the budget for this year to do a productivity audit of all vendors and everyone receiving homeless funds from the county,” Turnipseed said.

Supervisor David Couch moved to make the referral and Supervisor Phillip Peters seconded. “I would like to hear a report back on that at some point in the future,” Supervisor Peters said before the motion carried on a voice vote as all supervisors voted aye.

Why it matters: The county spends locally directed and federal/state funds on homelessness programs; the audit referral asks staff to evaluate whether contracts set proper outcomes and whether spending delivers measurable results.

Next steps: The board’s motion asks that the budget process incorporate consideration of a productivity audit and for staff to report back with recommendations on scope and funding.","After a public presentation from the Kern County Taxpayers Association, the board voted to refer a productivity audit of homeless‑services contracts and vendor outcomes to the county budget process.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6287100,"Growers tell supervisors gravel trucks on Valparaiso Avenue endanger farm workers; county pledges to investigate",384,3372000,3756000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2554456-1215a1c67a2c2a0a3b1c0400619e6cf4&start=3372&end=3756","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2554456-1215a1c67a2c2a0a3b1c0400619e6cf4/thumbnail_3372000.jpg","/articles/6287100/Kern-County/California/Growers-tell-supervisors-gravel-trucks-on-Valparaiso-Avenue-endanger-farm-workers-county-pledges-to-investigate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6287100-8dbd041d0a74d4d62a31a6100adb0005/orig.mp4?Expires=1775415464&Signature=VR6H0JwBfS5DiZmYUv9xLCD7Iy1a8NYhRO0Lv2cdDXdyNU4zbN0avVvqz2cWtGHL6MAyxUWwgTI1WlUKO1h7gTHXL3d-Yt-G2oE5uF~jSQJ2HuirYVvcgFT9Pm7p-fcmprLQMDkL0Z7pQarj7to55AAW4AOUa2ATZUQxbqgvQRHiZXY73rrSUE9~Qp3YnkustV8x1-~VP8ecZ32MSEAOf0rmroTtZ98qcUwihAaliNwNxOZO75G0NjAlas0wTNyljXRJ5X11bJnIE~iTMEd2hbouXZ-8O3DW2TvsZP19X61znRwtoAj5-jmeVTUGj3MuDSobQo9SR1p0am~a8Ws2iw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Growers and farm managers told the Kern County Board of Supervisors on March 11 that quarry trucks traveling on Valparaiso Avenue are creating an ongoing safety hazard for farm workers, school buses and slow-moving agricultural equipment.

Paul Loeffel, chief financial officer for Anthony Vineyards, told the board that Granite Construction’s truck route now includes Valparaiso Avenue even though the company’s conditional use permit (CUP) originally proposed a different, wider route. “Through viewing our security camera footage, there are now over a hundred gravel‑hauling trucks most weeks transiting Valparaiso and sometimes over 200 a week,” Loeffel said, and he described near misses with workers and tractors.

Eric Richardson, who farms in the area, said drivers travel at unsafe speeds and that the road’s narrow shoulders make passing hazardous. “It’s terrifying to know there’s three to four or five people in each of these cars pulling in and out every day,” Richardson said, describing farmworker commute patterns.

Jenny Holterman, president of the Kern County Farm Bureau, asked the board to reassess truck routing and impose safety measures. She said Valparaiso lacks paved shoulders and is not designed for heavy truck traffic.

Supervisor Jeff Flores and Supervisor Rudy Parlier told the speakers the board would look into the matter, including forwarding concerns to the California Highway Patrol for enforcement and reviewing planning and CUP compliance. Parlier said the issue could be discussed in closed session because of potential litigation and the involvement of multiple parties.

Why it matters: Valparaiso Avenue is used daily by farmworkers and agricultural equipment; speakers said the increase in heavy truck traffic raises the risk of serious accidents and urged enforcement or restoration of the originally approved haul route.

Next steps: Supervisors said staff will review the CUP, investigate whether the mine’s routing matches approved permits, and coordinate with CHP on enforcement. No formal board action was taken at the March 11 session; supervisors said they would continue the matter outside the public hearing if necessary.","Farm operators and the Kern County Farm Bureau urged action over heavy quarry truck traffic on Valparaiso Avenue, saying the route differs from the conditional-use permit and has grown to hundreds of truck trips per week. Supervisors said they will review the matter with CHP and planning staff and may take it to closed session.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6287106,"Public raises election administration and voter-roll concerns; registrar defends county procedures",1811,2448000,4259000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2554456-1215a1c67a2c2a0a3b1c0400619e6cf4&start=2448&end=4259","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2554456-1215a1c67a2c2a0a3b1c0400619e6cf4/thumbnail_2448000.jpg","/articles/6287106/Kern-County/California/Public-raises-election-administration-and-voter-roll-concerns-registrar-defends-county-procedures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6287106-3f2bb14d800d0ed55c2e15c0aa2eead7/orig.mp4?Expires=1775415464&Signature=Rb5f~C2ty7667v450TCo9m54P0539Esigw65~J3yUh6soc5tJL8-8qI6cpkORXsje~JKb5CWKcjbxnf06jzvhGk8Rnm8NXSvcrKPWW1-6YRwdG24qb6d3qHfFw6y1gR-TECKUfL5qNT85OAx7xWIkgy7vw72AolHRm8321F-dUv-O~o1Nvr~r6~EkA0XQH1RuKrcLETjqFOD16rnlxKWYMofsQ~rANLWY9bQfSZUKFDkm-Qghe-rNQeNM989wDTSJO9J4u6PGDfywFs1cVLNjzfSKcCxGbkuc-G3aY5q~h7pVOHh7Jg3mZqNFYtiMTZqNdiMad~UuYHw04m7inMFVw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several residents and advocacy groups used the March 11 public comment period to raise concerns about election administration in Kern County and neighboring Tulare County.

Tom Pavich of the Election Integrity Project California told the board the North Kern–South Tulare Hospital District race did not appear on Tulare County ballots in November and that Tulare failed to include the contest, potentially disenfranchising Tulare County voters. “Tulare County failed to include the race on its ballot and Kern County failed to pick up the mistake,” Pavich said, and he asked the board to investigate what went wrong and recommend procedural changes.

A resident who identified herself as a Tulare County voter said she was not given the opportunity to vote in the race because it only appeared on Kern ballots. She said the district crosses the county line and covers communities in both counties.

Registrar of Voters Amy Espinosa responded at the meeting: Kern County notified Tulare County of the contest and the county ran the election correctly on Kern ballots. “Whatever happened on the Tulare side, they failed to add it to their ballot,” Espinosa said, adding that Kern followed counsel and the secretary of state in its actions and that each county is responsible for its own ballots.

Separately, multiple speakers urged the board to improve public observation space at the county elections office, and others pressed for cleaning of voter rolls. Charles Shin, a retired Marine, urged removal of roughly 37,000 inactive registrations and pointed to the use of national change-of-address data as a tool; Dennis McLean and others also raised practical questions about vote‑by‑mail processes and the ICX voting device used at some polling locations.

Supervisor David Couch and county staff said the concerns were taken seriously; Espinosa and staff noted the elections office ran a cancellation job on Feb. 12 that removed nearly 29,711 registrations and explained some differences arise when people vote after a cleanup run.

Why it matters: The comments touch on core election administration duties—ballot printing, inter-county coordination and voter-roll maintenance—which directly affect voters’ access to local contests and public confidence in elections.

Next steps: Speakers asked the board to consider an investigation into the Tulare omission and to support improvements to the elections office’s public observatory spaces; the board did not take a formal vote on those requests at the March 11 meeting.","Speakers told supervisors that a North Kern–South Tulare hospital district race did not appear on Tulare County ballots and urged an investigation; the registrar of voters said Kern properly notified Tulare and that county responsibilities are limited to notifying other counties and running Kern ballots.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6287110,"Kern County supervisors approve guideline to start fiscal 2025–26 budget amid projected shortfall",1276,5199000,6475000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2554456-1215a1c67a2c2a0a3b1c0400619e6cf4&start=5199&end=6475","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2554456-1215a1c67a2c2a0a3b1c0400619e6cf4/thumbnail_5199000.jpg","/articles/6287110/Kern-County/California/Kern-County-supervisors-approve-guideline-to-start-fiscal-202526-budget-amid-projected-shortfall","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6287110-69a71239d7df029c98713be72d9331ea/orig.mp4?Expires=1775415464&Signature=Io9fdN5-KdXbNp-8wkXgfy1OaR5qVQUFWTWKgnP0niybbFDdstEW74Q~jDl0edyFWqV6wfdO-FEPYIBSqsVXQEbm2nlxLoNmB4b-X~TfBx~ZNv6US609NWeOM6rz1WcqPMYNplSEN-QwrKb-txTy9kl70gIxvxgU-CQDmXX-QHKYOi8UC3OWgzZo6sDZHDqRFZumdE9lKeKhrIrhOfDSSJ1tWEwkW9fnSlnYyzTzRSYG~cP2yFShOEZLU4fkO1XD43hn2PvJ1KlfMOlbglLKQYfTbA70Bv1UNoqCvatH2ojUuxNl6we3mkO5ak3LQtlzmgaB9GugupTrS1~O48RyTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Kern County Board of Supervisors on March 11 received a budget development report and approved a recommended general fund contribution guideline to begin preparation of the fiscal year 2025–26 budget.

The county administrative officer, Elsa Martinez, told the board the county projects a $24.9 million general fund deficit for 2025–26 and expects costs to outpace revenue in subsequent years. “Projections indicate costs are outpacing revenue with the anticipated deficit at $24,900,000 in the general fund in fiscal year 25–26,” Martinez said.

The guideline approved today tells departments to prepare budgets at current-year levels while identifying efficiencies and potential cost reductions. Alex Alba, the county’s budget director, gave the board a preliminary revenue update: assessed value growth will be modest, and county officials expect continued pressure from declines in assessments tied to oil and gas property values. “Property assessments for oil and gas properties are projected to decrease by 15% in fiscal year 25–26,” Alba said, adding that a modest rise in residential and commercial assessed value partially offsets the loss.

Martinez and staff briefed the board on several drivers behind the gap: negotiated salary increases already in place for public safety, rising program and benefit costs, and uncertainty in state and federal funding. The county has set aside one-time resources and is using a temporary reduction in retirement costs to mitigate the deficit in 2025–26; Martinez warned those savings are likely one-time and that multiyear planning will be necessary. “Without long-term fiscal plans this is not sustainable,” Martinez said.

Board members pressed staff on next steps for departments and the public schedule. The CAO’s office said department budget kickoff meetings start March 13, a preliminary budget will return to the board on June 24, and the board will hold an evening session July 28 to solicit public input before final hearings in August.

Supervisor David Couch moved to receive and file the report and approve the guideline; Supervisor Phillip Peters seconded. The motion passed on a roll call with all supervisors voting aye.

Why it matters: Kern County relies in part on revenue streams tied to energy assessments and local sales tax; county officials said the combination of declining energy assessments and slowing consumer-driven sales tax growth leaves less discretionary money available for county programs. The guideline sets a conservative planning baseline and signals that departments may need to propose efficiencies or reductions during budget hearings.

Looking ahead: Staff will return with updated estimates as assessed values and state/federal actions become clearer, and the board asked departments to prepare step-down plans for possible longer-term deficits.","The Board of Supervisors received a financial forecast showing a projected $24.9 million general fund shortfall for fiscal 2025–26 and approved a general fund contribution guideline directing departments to hold budgets to current-year levels while staff develops multiyear plans.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Kern County Board of Supervisors, March 11, 2025

Board refers productivity audit of homelessness vendors to budget process after public request

Growers tell supervisors gravel trucks on Valparaiso Avenue endanger farm workers; county pledges to investigate

Public raises election administration and voter-roll concerns; registrar defends county procedures

Kern County supervisors approve guideline to start fiscal 2025–26 budget amid projected shortfall