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Board approves higher CSA 56 streetlight assessment after ballot count shows majority support
Summary
The Kern County Board of Supervisors confirmed a Proposition 218 ballot process and enacted an ordinance increasing the annual streetlight assessment for County Service Area (CSA) 56 from $38 to $73 per parcel after staff reported 14 ballots returned: 9 in favor and 5 opposed; board vote was unanimous.
The Kern County Board of Supervisors on May 20 closed a Proposition 218 public hearing and adopted an ordinance raising the annual streetlight assessment in County Service Area 56 (northwest Bakersfield) from $38 to $73 per parcel for fiscal year 2025–26.
Assistant Public Works Director Adrian Nava told the board that CSA 56 covers 51 single‑family parcels with 14 streetlights. The assessment is collected on property tax bills; current revenues were no longer sufficient to cover operating costs, Nava said, because roughly 90% of CSA 56's costs are pass‑through electric charges to Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E). "For CSA 56 and fiscal year 23–24, CSA 56 had revenue of about $2,000; total expenses were about $2,925 with about $2,250 going to PG&E alone," Nava said.
Under the proposed engineer's report, the new flat assessment of $73 per parcel would increase annual revenue by an estimated $1,785 and close an approximately $630 shortfall. The county mailed 51 ballots to affected property owners and conducted door‑to‑door and meeting outreach; staff reported 14 ballots were returned by the hearing: nine in favor and five opposed. The Proposition 218 procedure for streetlights requires a majority of returned ballots to approve the increase.
County staff recommended the board confirm the ballot tabulation, waive reading and enact the ordinance imposing the increased assessment. A motion to approve passed and the clerk recorded the motion as approved "all ayes." The clerk reported no ballots were submitted in person at the hearing.
The board's action authorized the assessment increase to take effect on the 2025–26 tax roll and instructed the county to implement the adjusted assessment formula described in the engineer's report. No amendments to the proposed rate were made at the hearing.
