Kings County approves $1.5 million design contract for Kettleman City sidewalk, drainage project after debate

The Kings County Board of Supervisors on June 10 approved a $1.5 million design contract with Mark Thomas & Company to prepare plans, specifications and cost estimates for curb, gutter, sidewalk and related drainage work on the west side of State Route 41 in Kettleman City.

The vote was 4-1 after an extended discussion about whether the county should pay for design work now without construction funding in hand. Mitchell Cabrera, chief engineer for the county public works department, told the board the contract would deliver a shovel-ready package and allow the county to pursue grants and loans for construction when opportunities arise.

"This project entails roughly four miles of curb, gutter and sidewalk," Cabrera said. "There is currently no funding for construction, but this would put us in a position where we now have shovel-ready plans and would allow the department to continue seeking additional funding."

Supervisor Richard Valle, who represents the area, urged the board to approve the consultant work and described decades of attempts to secure improvements for Kettleman City. "If not now, then when?" Valle asked, noting past missed opportunities when funds required projects to be shovel ready. Valle and others argued the design work improves the county’s ability to win state or federal grants.

Supervisor Rusty Robinson voted no, citing concerns about spending design money before committing construction funding. Cabrera and others stressed that the project will include a stormwater collection/retention design element because Caltrans previously objected to sidewalks until drainage is addressed.

Board members and staff discussed phasing the work so portions could be designed and built sooner rather than waiting for a full three-year timeline. Cabrera said the consultant can design the project in phases so the county can start construction on prioritized segments as funding becomes available.

The board approved using $1,000,000 of funds previously set aside for Kettleman City improvements plus $500,000 to cover the design contract. Supervisors who supported the motion cited public safety and pedestrian access as primary benefits; supporters also noted potential downstream economic gains by improving the community at a major travel junction.

The approval authorizes county staff to execute the consultant agreement and proceed with the PS&E (plans, specifications and estimate) package for the Kettleman City infrastructure project.

The county will continue to pursue construction funding once engineering is completed; no construction contract was authorized at Tuesday’s meeting.