Kings County picks QK to lead comprehensive general plan and development-code update

Kings County supervisors approved an agreement on April 22 with Quadehoff Inc., doing business as QK, to lead the county's comprehensive general plan and development-code update, effective May 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028. The board approved the contract after staff said QK's $1,726,290 proposal fell within the $1.9 million budget set aside for the project.

Noel Tomlinson, planner with the Community Development Agency, told the board the RFP was issued Nov. 15, 2024, and three proposals were received. The scoring committee recommended QK based on demonstrated experience with public participation, rural and agricultural communities, translation services for outreach, and preparing legally defensible CEQA documents. "The county desires a consulting firm that has experience in public participation, understands rural communities and agricultural uses," Tomlinson said.

Steve Brandt, QK principal planner and the project manager named in the proposal, said the team will begin staff work in May and kick off public outreach at the Kings County Fair in June. The county's stated priorities for the update include a development-code update and environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act.

The motion to approve the agreement passed on a roll call vote with all five supervisors voting in favor. The contract timeline covers three years, and staff said QK's proposal was the highest scoring of the submissions and within the budget approved by the board.