Kern County supervisors elect Leticia Perez chair; Dave Couch named vice chair

Supervisor Leticia Perez was elected chair of the Kern County Board of Supervisors and Supervisor Dave Couch was named vice chair during the board's Jan. 6 meeting at the county administrative center in Bakersfield.

The maneuver was made by Supervisor Jason Flores, who moved to nominate Perez as chair and Couch as vice chair, and seconded by Supervisor Peters; the motion was approved by voice vote with no roll-call tally recorded in the meeting transcript. The board adjourned to a scheduled meeting on Jan. 7, 2025 at 9 a.m.

The reorganization drew an unusually large crowd for what is often a ceremonial item. Supporters and community leaders filled the chamber and dozens spoke during the public-presentation period and before the board took its action. Flores, in making the motion, said he had known Perez since they served together on the Kern County Planning Commission and praised her "authentic" leadership and relationships at the state level.

Public comment before and during the reorganization ranged from requests for county support for veterans' programming to praise for Perez's record. Julian Wilson of Silver Titan Productions described the Central Valley Veterans Film Festival, which he said began in 2023 and showcases professionally produced films telling veterans' stories, and asked for community support. Michelle Monterra Ramos of Consumer Watchdog and Save A Mom Save A Family credited Perez with backing maternal-health efforts, including a pregnancy-related mortality committee. Several speakers, including Raji Brar and Manpreet Kaur, urged the board to continue outreach to diverse and language‑limited communities.

Perez, addressing the chamber after the vote, thanked colleagues and the crowd and described her approach to the job as one of service and accountability. "It is humbling to be here," she said, and pledged to "honor" her commitments while asking the public to hold her accountable.

No ordinances, budget items or contracts were acted on during the reorganization item. The transcript records the selection of chair and vice chair as the primary formal board action under item 2; the motion was approved by voice vote and no roll-call vote or individual tallies are provided in the transcript.

Other items raised during the public-presentation period included a request by Julian Wilson for support of the free Central Valley Veterans Film Festival and several community leaders' comments congratulating the newly selected chair and urging collaboration on issues such as affordable housing, workforce development and public health. The board moved to adjourn at the conclusion of the item, with the next meeting listed for Jan. 7, 2025 at 9 a.m.