Residents urge help with alleged tax posting errors, code‑enforcement liens and notice confusion; planning director says road was vacated, not built

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Multiple Kern County residents used the board’s public‑comment period on Feb. 10 to raise individual property disputes and ask for staff help; county department heads told the board they would follow up.

Freddy Hogan Jr. told the board he had paid $4,000 in property taxes but alleged the Kern County tax office had not posted the payments, that his property was placed for sale and that a mortgage company had been credited; he told the board he was facing an additional alleged $12,000 escrow demand and asked to meet with Supervisor Perez’s chief of staff (named in the record as Kristen/Christy Romo) to present paperwork. The moderator suggested he visit Supervisor Perez’s office on the fifth floor and indicated staff would assist.

Richard Alford of Lake Isabella said code enforcement had taped notices to his fence while he lived in another county, described a proposed lien on a $17,000 parcel and asked for a cease‑and‑desist and full records of county contacts. Public Works Director Joshua Champlin apologized for notice confusion, said the item had been removed from today’s agenda because of technical issues, and told Alford staff would continue to work with him to try to find a resolution.

A resident who identified herself as Larissa Myers Artofer read a prepared letter opposing what she described as a proposed construction of a new road through 'Dustin/Destin Acres.' She said the project would burden an elderly homeowner and alter neighborhood character. Planning Director Craig Murphy told the board the department was not proposing to build a new road; rather, the request on the consent calendar (item 4) was to vacate an existing public easement so the roadway would remain as it is now.

An interested party identified as Ian from Mojave said he had not received mailed notice of the hearing and learned of it only from a property posting. Staff confirmed the hearing item was removed from the agenda and recommended he follow up with county staff for specific details.

Thomasina Rivers said she had formally served a notice of appeal on county counsel earlier that day and asked the board to note receipt; she said the merits should be decided in court and that her purpose at the meeting was to ensure the county’s record reflected proper notice.

County staff repeatedly told public commenters that staff would meet with them and attempt to resolve issues outside the public meeting. Directors present included Joshua Champlin, who apologized for notice problems, and Craig Murphy, who clarified that the action on consent related to vacating, not building, a roadway.

What the board recorded on the record • Hogan: alleged tax‑posting and escrow dispute; staff referral for assistance. • Alford: alleged code‑enforcement notices and possible lien; staff to follow up after agenda‑item removal. • Larissa Myers Artofer: opposed perceived road construction; planning director clarified the consent action vacated an easement. • Thomasina Rivers: served notice of appeal on county counsel; record acknowledged.

The board did not take formal action on these individual cases during the meeting; staff indicated they would continue to work with residents and provide assistance where appropriate.