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Kern LAFCO dissolves Lamont Stormwater District and names county as successor
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Summary
Kern LAFCO voted unanimously March 18 to dissolve the Lamont Stormwater District, finding the district nonoperational and designating Kern County as successor; remaining district funds will be held for six months before transfer and used for stormwater benefit in the district area.
The Kern Local Agency Formation Commission voted unanimously March 18 to dissolve the Lamont Stormwater District and designate Kern County as the successor agency, following a lengthy staff report and public testimony.
Blair, executive officer, told the commission that the district — which covers roughly 2,903 acres southeast of Bakersfield and serves the unincorporated community of Lamont — has failed for decades to construct and maintain stormwater infrastructure, lacks governance and sustainable funding, and has no realistic path to reactivation or consolidation. The staff recommendation cited the Cortez v. Knox Hertzberg Act authority to approve dissolution with terms and conditions and to designate a successor agency.
Longtime Lamont resident Farrell Neely urged the commission to act. Neely recounted six years of efforts to obtain audits and records, said he found evidence the district had not held reliable public meetings or maintained records, and told commissioners he would drop two pending legal actions if the commission approves dissolution. Neely also praised the county’s recent flood control work in the Lamont area, saying the county has constructed retention ponds he estimated cost “about 7 or $8,000,000.”
Joshua Champler, identified as director of public works for Kern County, said the county is the applicant for dissolution and that Public Works has been performing stormwater work in the area for 20 to 30 years. “We’re committed to this, and we’re ready to keep protecting the city of Lamont,” Champler told the commission.
Blair recommended several conditions on approval, including holding remaining district funds in advance for six months from the effective date of the condition (citing Government Code section 56885.5) and then transferring assets to Kern County to be used for stormwater services benefiting the area in which the funds were collected. The staff report said the district maintains cash assets and no known deficits or debts.
Commissioner Fowler moved to approve dissolution with conditions; the motion was seconded and the roll‑call vote was unanimous. The commission’s action clears a path for Kern County to assume responsibility for planning, design, funding and maintenance of regional stormwater improvements in Lamont.
Next steps include completing any required CEQA actions as noted in the staff report, the six‑month holding period for funds, and administrative transfers of assets to the county for use on stormwater projects serving the former district area.
