Kern LAFCO approves two annexations, endorses grand-jury response and monthly expenses

The Kern County Local Agency Formation Commission approved two annexations, endorsed a response to a grand‑jury report about the Lamont Stormwater District and adopted its monthly expense list during a meeting (date not specified).

The commission approved the City of Bakersfield annexation (Annexation No. 1844) to add roughly 0.55 acres at the northwest corner of South H Street and Cecil Brunner Drive. Executive Officer Kevin Knox said the annexation was initiated by the city at the property owner’s request and carried “100% landowner consent,” and that the county’s existing County Service Area (CSA) 43 will be detached because the city will assume street light and fire hydrant services. The commission waived notice, hearing and protest requirements under the Cortese‑Knox‑Hertzberg Act and approved the item by roll call vote (all ayes).

The commission also approved a proposed annexation of about 106.84 acres consisting of 44 parcels into the East Niles Community Service District (Annexation No. 1827). Knox said the annexation was requested by the district at the state Water Board’s direction and is intended to consolidate scattered municipal water systems into the district. Knox and staff said the proposal does not have 100% landowner consent but that no protests had been received; the commission approved the annexation and — by motion — included a waiver of the protest hearing. The roll call produced eight ayes and one no (Commissioner Fowler voted no).

On a separate item prompted by a grand‑jury report titled A District Underwater, the commission approved a draft response recommending that Kern County apply to LAFCO for dissolution of the Lamont Stormwater District and consider itself as a successor agency. Knox said the grand jury found the district “functionally inactive” because it lacked enough board members to reach a quorum and had not provided its intended services over decades. The commission voted unanimously to approve the recommended response and related direction.

The commission also approved the monthly expense list by roll call vote (all ayes).

Votes at a glance - Annexation No. 1844 (City of Bakersfield; ~0.55 acres): Motion passed, waiver of hearing/protest granted; detachment from CSA 43. Vote: unanimous (all ayes). - Annexation No. 1827 (East Niles CSD; ~106.84 acres, 44 parcels): Motion passed; waiver of protest hearing included in motion. Vote: 8 ayes, 1 no (Commissioner Fowler). - Lamont Stormwater District — draft response to grand jury recommending that Kern County apply for dissolution: Motion passed. Vote: unanimous (all ayes). - Monthly expense list: Motion passed. Vote: unanimous (all ayes).

Why this matters: Annexations change which agency provides local services such as fire protection, water, or street lighting; waivers of protest hearings are governed by the Cortese‑Knox‑Hertzberg Act, and the Lamont recommendation could lead to dissolution of a special district and transfer of stormwater responsibilities to the county.

What commissioners noted: Staff said CEQA for the annexations was handled via a notice of exemption, affected agencies were notified, and no formal opposition was received. For East Niles, staff noted the district already serves and bills many parcels, which is why the application checked “yes” to prior service even though parcel‑by‑parcel written consent was not collected. Commissioners asked questions about landowner consent and the statutory bases for waiving protests.

Next steps: Conditions attached to each annexation will be handled as recommended by the executive officer; the East Niles item will proceed with the notice/hearing process as required where waivers are not granted by statute.