Kern County supervisors seek congressional support for CDBG and refer US Borax concerns to legislative committee

Supervisor Parlier told the board Jan. 6 that reductions in state and federal funding were likely in the current and future budget cycles and that Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding is a key local tool for supporting county programs. She moved that the board send a letter to the county's congressional representatives requesting support for CDBG; another member seconded and the board approved the referral.

Parlier also raised concerns about federal law changes affecting US Borax (Rio Tinto), a mining facility she described as strategically important to the county and nation. She moved a referral to the legislative program committee to consider a board letter or other legislative options, including seeking a special designation or carve-out to protect jobs and the deposit. The motion was seconded and the board approved the referral. A board member noted that members of the legislative program committee would review the matter and bring recommendations back to the full board.

Both actions were recorded as motions with second and approved during the board's announcements segment. The motions place the issues on the legislative committee's agenda for further study; no ordinance or legislative text was adopted at the meeting.