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Avenel residents ask Kings County for legal guidance after multiple council recalls
Summary
At the July 7 Kings County Board meeting, Avenal residents — including Sheila Verdugo and Veronica Loya — asked county leaders to clarify how four city council vacancies left by recall should be handled and to explore lawful options to restore a functioning local government while litigation proceeds.
At the Kings County Board of Supervisors meeting on July 7, Avenal residents urged county officials to provide legal guidance after recalls left multiple city council seats vacant.
Sheila Verdugo told the board the city council's June 25 resolution calls for only two seats to be filled in November despite four seats being recalled and certified. "The resolution calling for only 2 seats may create confusion or the appearance that only 2 seats need to be addressed when the recall involved 4 seats," she said, and asked the county to "provide its legal position, assist with proper election process, and if appropriate, seek clarification on relief from the court regarding vacancies quorum and how Avenel can lawfully function during this time." Verdugo asked specifically that Councilmember Verdugo be given written guidance on legal options and responsibilities.
Veronica Loya, who identified herself as an Avenal resident, described "uncertainty and fear" among residents and said litigation could "take months even years". "I respectfully ask you and as county leaders to explore every lawful option available to help establish a quorum and restore the functioning city council," she said, urging the board not to narrow or delay the certified recall election.
Election Supervisor Emily Olivera told the board that municipalities have until Aug. 7, 2026, to submit resolutions for the November election and that special elections must be held within 114 days of being called; she said the 114-day mark before Nov. 3 falls on Sunday, July 12. Olivera's remarks established the calendar constraints residents and county staff cited.
Supervisor Gautam acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and said there are Avenal-related items on the closed-session agenda for further consideration. He also said the board would follow up with Councilmember Verdugo to provide support and that he wanted the residents to leave the meeting "feeling ... their voices weren't heard."
No formal county action or vote on remedies for Avenal was recorded in the public transcript. County counsel listed litigation and anticipated litigation items to be considered in closed session, including cases naming the City of Avenal.
Why it matters: Residents say the vacancies have left Avenal without a fully functioning local government, creating uncertainty about essential city services and operations. The board's guidance or any county-directed legal steps could determine how and when those seats are filled and how city business proceeds while litigation and recall-related processes continue.
What happens next: The board adjourned the public session to closed session where several Avenal-related legal matters are on the agenda. Residents asked for written guidance and a lawful path forward; the transcript does not show a public vote or a particular remedy adopted during the meeting.
