Taft council adopts resolutions to collect refuse and sewer charges, affirms maintenance district assessment; approves Chamber funding

The Taft City Council on July 15, 2025, adopted a series of resolutions enabling the Kern County tax collector to collect refuse, street‑sweeping and sewer charges (including standby charges for vacant commercial buildings), approved the fiscal 2025–26 assessment for Landscape and Lighting Maintenance District No. 1, and approved the meeting consent calendar, including payment of bills and a 25% allocation of transient‑occupancy tax to the Taft Chamber of Commerce for January–March 2025.

The council opened public hearings on the refuse/street‑sweeping and sewer items and received no public testimony before moving to votes. City staff referenced Health and Safety Code section 54 73 et seq. as the authority to place the charges on county tax rolls; the council also found each action was not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (citing CEQA guidance sections 15060(c)(3) and 15378 as stated in the staff presentation). Motions were made, seconded and carried by roll call votes in each case.

Key details: - Refuse and street‑sweeping charges:…