Supervisors approve consent calendar including interim CDBG-backed septic relief; Peters votes no, requests funding breakdown

The Kern County Board of Supervisors voted to approve its consent calendar on Tuesday, Sept. 9, including an item authorizing interim relief efforts funded through the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to address failing septic systems in parts of the county. The motion passed 4-1, with Supervisor David Peters recorded as the lone vote against the consent package.

The vote matters because the CDBG program is targeted to low- and moderate-income areas and county officials said the funding is being used to provide short-term relief while design and construction continue for permanent sewer infrastructure. Assistant County Administrative Officer Elsa Martinez told the board that CDBG funds are managed through the planning and community development department and that the grants have several categories, including block grants and housing-specific awards. Martinez also warned that federal CDBG allocations are uncertain and said the county monitors potential legislative changes at the federal level.

Supervisor Peters asked for more information before supporting the item. “I actually had a question on item number 11. I wanted to see if we had any additional information on...how that CDBG funding gets distributed,” Peters said during the consent discussion. Martinez replied that staff would prepare a comprehensive report with the planning department showing past allocations and how CDBG awards are distributed.

Public Works Director Joshua Champlin described the specific project tied to the consent item as an interim response to failing septic systems while the county completes design and construction of permanent sewer facilities. “This is our efforts to give them some relief while we finish up the design and construction of the permanent sewer out there,” Champlin said. He urged the board to act promptly so the interim relief could be provided quickly.

Martinez noted that the planning department typically works with individual supervisors to identify projects and that annual allocations are finalized after the federal budget is set; she said the county uses estimated allocations in its budget until federal figures arrive in October. Martinez also cited a recent local project that combined CDBG funding with donations and county general funds — a skate park referenced as an example of how multiple funding sources can be combined for local projects.

After discussion, the board moved and seconded the consent calendar and called for a vote. The clerk announced the motion carried, “4 ayes, 1 opposed, Supervisor Peters.” Board members also agreed staff would return with the requested historical allocation information and a more detailed explanation of how the CDBG funds for the septic project were being distributed.

The item will be followed up with a report from the planning and community development department and the Assistant CAO, as Martinez committed to providing the board a record of prior allocations and a breakdown of the funding categories that supported the approved interim work.