Kern County board confirms county costs for nuisance abatements after protest hearing

Kern County Public Works Director Josh Champlin told the Board of Supervisors that staff was asking the board to confirm the county’s costs for nuisance-abatement work performed after property owners failed to correct code violations.

“These cases involve properties where noncompliance created public health and safety concerns under the current county ordinance code chapter 8.44,” Champlin said, describing the hearing’s scope and noting staff removed three items from the exhibit prior to opening the hearing.

The hearing is intended to determine the costs incurred by the county, not to re-litigate whether violations occurred, Champlin said. He explained that, if the board confirms the costs and unpaid balances remain after 10 days, they may be placed as special assessments on the property tax roll to recover county general‑fund costs for abatement work.

Two members of the public spoke. Jacob Leitner registered and spoke briefly; the record shows staff will follow up directly with at least one property owner. A second speaker, Aaron Newman, participated by phone; staff said the county’s code manager would contact him to attempt a resolution and avoid returning the matter to the board if possible.

A board member moved to approve staff’s recommendation with the director’s outlined changes. The motion carried; the clerk recorded the motion as approved with the tally reported in the record for that item (the motion was approved, recorded as "3 ayes, 1 absent" in the hearing record).

The board’s action confirms the county’s ability to place unpaid abatement costs as special assessments when property owners do not reimburse the county. Staff said it will continue to work directly with affected property owners before pursuing assessment placement. If a resolution cannot be reached, the matter may return to the board for further action.