Kern COG adds recurring moment of silence after Pledge; board cites legal caution

The Kern Council of Governments on Sept. 18 voted to add a brief moment of silence immediately after the Pledge of Allegiance to future agendas.

Staff introduced the item after a request from a board member. The staff recommendation — to add a moment of silence rather than a formal verbal invocation — reflected advice relayed to the committee from county counsel (identified in staff materials as Van Wyck). According to staff, the counsel’s guidance was to avoid creating any implication that board members or attendees would be obligated to participate in a prayer or forced to permit an invocation that could raise legal concerns.

During discussion, Board member Parra said she supported a private moment of silence so members and attendees could reflect or pray in a way that was personal to them, and others on the board expressed general support for a brief, non-liturgical pause. One board member said they preferred a formal prayer but agreed to go with the staff recommendation after hearing counsel’s guidance. The chair moved the staff recommendation; a second was recorded and the roll-call vote was completed. Members recorded on the transcript as voting yes included Phil Smith, Bob Smith, Hawkins, Gorman, Espinosa, Calderon and Ione; the motion carried.

The adopted change places a brief moment of silence on the standard meeting agenda after the Pledge of Allegiance; staff noted the practice is intended as an optional, nonsectarian pause for reflection and that participation will be voluntary.