Kern LAFCO approves three city annexations and routine expense list

The Kern Local Agency Formation Commission on Jan. 15 approved three city-initiated annexations — Bakersfield (717 Zirker), McFarland (1836) and Wasco (1843) — and approved its monthly expense list.

The Commission accepted the results of a protest hearing for the Bakersfield 717 Zirker annexation, which Executive Officer Knox said was held Jan. 9 and drew no protests. "There was no one in attendance, and no other protests were received," Knox told commissioners as he recommended the Commission accept the hearing results. Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the proceeding.

The Commission next approved McFarland annexation 1836, which Executive Officer Knox described as a residential annexation of approximately 186.41 acres consisting of four parcels south of Taylor Avenue. Paul Saldanha, community development director for the City of McFarland, said the annexation continues development that began under a 2019 annexation. "This is actually a continuation from annexation 17, which was adopted by your commission in 2019," Saldanha said. Knox told commissioners the annexation contains no prime agricultural land, conforms to the general plan and regional transportation plan, and that the applicant adopted a negative declaration under CEQA. Commissioners approved the annexation by motion and unanimous vote.

Commissioners also approved Wasco annexation 1843, a proposal to annex about 31.91 acres in two locations that include land near Wasco High School intended for possible future relocation of the school's agricultural farm and for right-of-way improvements. Carrie Cobb, Wasco community development director, told the Commission the Wasco Union High School District has closed on the Magnolia property even if county records had not yet reflected the transfer. "I believe the high school district has already closed on the property and does own it but that record may not have caught up yet with the county," Cobb said. Knox said both parcels will be held by public agencies and that no property-tax increase will result; he added that a tax agreement still must be approved by the Board of Supervisors to complete the annexation because county tax records have not yet been updated. The Commission approved the Wasco annexation and waived further notice and protest hearings as recommended.

Separately, the Commission voted to approve the monthly expense list. The meeting recorded unanimous "ayes" for motions that carried the annexations and expense list.

Votes at a glance

- 717 Zirker (City of Bakersfield) — annexation of ~207.52 acres; protest hearing (Jan. 9) reported no protests; Executive Officer Knox recommended acceptance; outcome: approved (unanimous). - 1836 (City of McFarland) — annexation of ~186.41 acres for residential development; CEQA: negative declaration adopted by applicant; outcome: approved (unanimous). - 1843 (City of Wasco) — annexation of ~31.91 acres including Wasco High School ag farm site and right-of-way; 100% landowner consent reported; completion conditioned on a county tax-agreement approval for a parcel transfer to the Wasco Union High School District; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Monthly expense list — outcome: approved (unanimous).

Why it matters: annexations change municipal boundaries and can affect land use, service responsibility and local fiscal arrangements. The Wasco action is notable because the annexation involves school-district property and a tax agreement that must be executed with the county before the annexation is finalized.

The Commission’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Feb. 19. Executive Officer Knox said that meeting could include multiple proceedings and that staff are preparing for a heavier agenda.