Kern County Board of Supervisors 2:00 p.m. meeting for Tuesday, November 10, 2026
The Kern County Board of Supervisors met on November 10, 2026 in Bakersfield. The board approved the consent agenda, confirmed nuisance-abatement cost recoveries, heard multiple public speakers seeking appointments or raising local concerns, and received state and federal legislative briefings that highlighted bills and earmarks affecting county programs.
Discussion Points
•Allegation of favoritism in hiring raised by resident.
•Board clarified recruitment process and prior vote.
•Candidate summarized qualifications and requested formal consideration.
•Federal appropriations timing (CR to Dec. 11) and pending BRIC grant risks for Kern Valley Hospital.
•Hearing focuses on confirming costs for abated nuisances and explaining appeal rights and assessment placement.
•Numerous operational election problems detailed including missing booklets, incorrect precinct routing and duplicated e‑poll book entries.
•Public comment alleged favoritism in proposed position related to item 22; board clarified process and prior reclassification vote.
•SB1329 singled out as a potential large fiscal hit to county property tax revenues if enacted.
•Summary of 2026 session totals, key bills affecting counties and funding items relevant to Kern County.
•Townsend reported $11.1M in House FY27 community project funding that the county is pursuing in final negotiations.
Decisions
•Consent agenda approved (4–0, one absent).
•Costs confirmed; item approved by board vote.
•No appointment made at meeting.
•No hiring action taken at meeting.
•Presentation received and filed; staff to follow up on grant and appropriations advocacy.
•Presentation received; no vote on legislation.
•Staff follow-up requested; no policy action taken at meeting.
Directions
•Continue advocacy for BRIC reconsideration and coordinate earmark finalization with congressional delegation.
•Continue tracking wildfire liability bills, SB1329 and Prop. 1 implementation; remain engaged with county legislative policy committee.
•Inspector directed to leave contact information with county clerk; Registrar of Voters to follow up.
•Proceed with open recruitment.
•Proceed with open recruitment for the position rather than direct appointment.
•Public Works to record confirmed amounts and allow statutory period before assessing unpaid balances to tax roll.
•Staff/board to consider materials during formal appointment process.
Kern County Board of Supervisors 9:00 a.m. meeting for Tuesday, November 10, 2026
Kern County Board of Supervisors met Nov. 10, 2026 in Bakersfield. The board approved consent items and three financing steps to advance a new animal services facility, received an air-quality update from the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, and heard a sheriff's presentation and public concerns about automated license-plate readers.
Discussion Points
•Board will use design-build public-works approach and return with construction contract recommendation before borrowing.
•County IT to be asked about exposure to the PHP vulnerability; departments committed to follow up.
•District emphasized limitations over mobile-source regulation and need for state/federal partnership.
•District promoted grants, outreach and no-burn advisories for residents.
•District reported long-term improvements in ozone and PM2.5 despite population and economic growth.
•KCSO described use-cases for ALPR in serious crimes and said the system does not perform facial recognition.
•KCSO said data are retained for 30 days, access is logged, two-factor authentication is used and audits are conducted; no misuse found to date in KCSO audits.
•Proclamation framed as public recognition of adoption efforts and a lead-in to a local National Adoption Day event.
•Project design will nearly double current shelter space to ~46,375 sq ft and address operational limitations.
•Public commenters cited large numbers of plate reads and urged 7-day retention, local-only sharing and independent audits.
•Public Works to follow up on Tehachapi flooding report; Supervisor Parlier indicated outreach would occur.
•Registrar of Voters will be asked to provide information after DOJ-related concerns were raised.
•Speakers described support partners (Casa Kern County, Koinonia Family Services, Kern Bridges, Bakersfield Angels, Care Foundation).
•Staff recommended public-market financing combined with county resources and tobacco endowment funds to balance cost and reserves.
Decisions
•Adopted facility substitution resolution; approved bond/disclosure counsel contract (<= $96,500); adopted reimbursement resolution indicating intent to pursue ~ $30 million in tax-exempt obligations.
•Board adopted proclamation; Human Services will proceed with planned Nov. 20 events.
•Board voted to receive and file the presentation.
Directions
•KCSO to continue transparency, publish sharing partners and report audit procedures; board requested follow-up information.
•Relevant departments (Public Works, ROV, IT) to contact speakers and return with information where appropriate.
•Staff to return with a comprehensive financing plan and construction contract recommendation after selection of design-build partner.
Kern County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo), October 21, 2026
Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) meeting covering two annexation proposals, a new budgeting forecast, staff updates and resident questions about water service consolidation in unincorporated Kern County.
Discussion Points
•Chair and commissioners supported staff recommendation.
•Commission directed staff to hold a protest hearing and return results.
•Forecast will cover revenues, personnel, benefits and reserves and will be updated annually.
•It is not a spending authorization and does not replace the legally controlling annual budget.
•News article noted Pond residents felt abandoned ahead of El Niño; commissioner raised floodplain management questions.
•Nov. 18 meeting anticipated to be long and include multiple major items.
•Residents asked about upfront hookup fees, monthly bills, and whether private wells must connect.
•Staff described historical emergency hookups after a 2022 arsenic exceedance and physical connections completed in 2024.
•Staff explained state funding supports infrastructure and that meters will be installed on existing connections.
•Staff recommended denying a fee waiver because costs shift to other funding agencies.
•Staff said county departments will address El Niño preparedness and that resource conservation districts may do mitigation but typically lack dedicated revenue.
Decisions
•Annexation approved; fee-waiver denied.
•Motion passed to incorporate rolling five-year forecast.
•Motion passed to proceed with annexation process and to conduct protest proceedings.
Directions
•Adopt resolution and deny fee-waiver request; record annexation per conditions.
•Commissioners asked to reserve Nov. 18 and read packet in advance.
•Direct staff to add the five-year forecast beginning with FY 2027–28.
•Hold written protest process, mail notices to those within 300 feet, and report back.
Kern County's Around Kern County episode covered the Hard Rock Casino Tejon groundbreaking for a 406-room hotel and event center slated to open in summer 2028, pedestrian-path improvements in Lamont funded at $4 million, a veterans 'stand-down and services expansion at Stramler Park, recognition of first responders at Historic Union Cemetery including Sheriff Don Youngblood's announced January retirement, and Jamieson Children's Center community events.
Discussion Points
•Ceremonial framing of the expansion as an economic milestone
•Community event featured performances and acknowledgements
•Completion of two pedestrian-path projects
•Expansion of services to include workforce connections and employer interviews
•Partner agencies provided hygiene and clothing services to support interviews
•Presenters' projections of job creation and increased visitation
•Project locations and intended safety/walkability benefits
•Recognition of first responders
•Retirement announcement by Sheriff Don Youngblood
•The center provides 24-hour temporary shelter; donors help maintain services
Kern County Board of Supervisors 9:00 a.m. meeting for Tuesday, October 27, 2026
Kern County Board of Supervisors met Oct. 27, 2026, honoring retiring county employees, approving proclamations (including Homeless Youth Awareness Month), receiving reports on detainee releases and El Niño preparedness, reviewing the 2025 child death report, and holding a TEFRA hearing on a proposed Pacific Steel micro mill bond issuance.
Discussion Points
•Board presented and read retirement resolutions for three employees and accepted brief remarks from honorees and department leadership.
•County counsel described a demand alleging suppression of remote comments and the county's investigation of the teleconference vendor.
•David Abbasi restated concerns about access and other local issues.
•Presentation of 2025 data and trends (113 deaths, 39 potentially preventable).
•Presentation of Holiday Cottage Days proclamation.
•Presentation of proclamation and youth event schedule.
•Presenters explained El Niño mechanics, potential impacts, and county preparedness measures including sandbag sites, cleaned problem locations and staged medical supplies.
•Recommendations include education on unsafe sleep, suicide prevention, drowning awareness and fentanyl/Narcan outreach.
•Speakers described duplicate ballots in Tulare County and DOJ actions; concerns raised about late mailing of voter guides and cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
•Staff invitations to press events and fundraisers; Youth Action Board listed November events.
•Staff summarized referrals and two $50,000 options; supervisors debated whether county homeless funds should be used and whether the federal government bears responsibility.
•Supervisors asked about county app linkage and local evacuation plans; public comment from McFarland mayor stressed historic flooding in his area.
•Supervisors questioned data sources and program capacity for youth services.
•Supervisors requested additional data on numbers served and the nature of release conditions.
Decisions
•Board received report; no motion needed.
•Brown Act commitment letter approved by vote.
•Proclamation adopted by voice vote.
•Referral approved; no appropriation authorized at this meeting.
•Referral motion approved; board will receive staff report later.
•Report received and filed by vote.
•Resolutions honoring Darren Hurd, Gilberto Garcia and Andrea Martinez approved by unanimous voice vote.
Directions
•Authorize the chair to sign the unconditional Brown Act commitment letter; direct clerk to deliver to Abbasi.
•Clerk to provide DOJ letter to the requester upon request; referral to county council and auditor‑controller to investigate mailing delays and vendor contract options.
•Refer to Finance & Administration Committee to drill into numbers, funding sources, city/federal outreach and grant opportunities.
•Staff to examine linking the emergency web portal to the county app and confirm evacuation site agreements.
Kern County Board of Supervisors 2:00 p.m. meeting for Tuesday, October 27, 2026
Kern County Board of Supervisors met Oct. 27, 2025. The board approved the bulk of the consent calendar but pulled item 36 for separate consideration after public concerns; received multiple public comments about SB 1137 and property-rights impacts; received a multi-million dollar funding report from Sen. Melissa Hurtado; heard a nuisance abatement cost-confirmation hearing; and referred a proposed District Attorney systems-administrator classification back to staff for clarification and return in two weeks.
Discussion Points
•Board members expressed concern about optics and asked for staff and CAO input on alternatives to immediate reclassification.
•DA office said the role was necessary because ITS no longer supports criminal-justice systems and the incumbent has been essential to implementation.
•HR described position study process and reasons for new classification.
•Items A and C were withdrawn and fiscal impact updated.
•Public speakers accused the employee associated with item 36 of misconduct and asked the board to reconsider reclassification.
•Sen. Hurtado listed funding allocations and described partnerships to implement projects locally.
•Speakers asked that the county notify affected mineral and royalty owners and engage lobbyists to seek remedies.
•Speakers said SB 1137's 3,200-foot setback can block access to mineral rights, reduce assessed values, and impose liability on taxpayers.
•Staff clarified purpose of hearing (confirm costs incurred, not to decide whether violations existed).
•Supervisors raised concerns about telework, optics, and whether recruitment could be an alternative.
Decisions
•Board approved staff recommendation to confirm costs (all ayes).
•Consent agenda approved with item 36 excluded; item 36 will be returned to staff for revised recommendation.
•No formal board action recorded on the awards during the meeting; recognition and acceptance of the presentation occurred.
•Referral to staff for follow-up approved.
•Referral to staff for revised recommendation approved unanimously.
Directions
•CAO, HR and ITS to prepare alternate recommendation and policy clarifications; return in two weeks.
•County staff to work with state partners and local implementers to use the funds for the named purposes.
•Item 36 pulled from consent; staff directed to return with alternate recommendation and clarifications in two weeks.
•Proceed with confirmed costs and, if unpaid after 10 days, place as special assessments on tax roll.
•Staff directed to coordinate notification and work with county lobbyists and stakeholders; bring back a recommendation.
Kern County Board of Supervisors 9:00 a.m. meeting for Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Kern County Board of Supervisors met on Oct. 13, 2026 in Bakersfield. The board issued multiple proclamations, heard public comment about mass-surveillance cameras and election observation, and approved about $88.3 million in one-time budget carryforward recommendations and related adjustments.
Discussion Points
•Arts Council representative explained the festival’s cultural, community, and economic value and the date shift to October.
•Board adopted a proclamation designating November and December as canned‑food drive months.
•Board issued the proclamation and thanked organizers.
•Board members asked whether contingency funds could be used to avoid layoffs and requested further HR‑1 briefings.
•Committee representatives invited the public to the festival and described its economic and cultural impact.
•Speakers alleged vendor practices allow long retention and searching of images and raised Fourth Amendment and privacy concerns.
•Staff emphasized the partnership between county departments and Golden Empire Gleaners and set logistics for department participation and a kickoff.
•Staff explained carryforward funds are one‑time resources and recommended heavy use of reserves and targeted one‑time projects.
•Supervisors and staff acknowledged concerns and scheduled a sheriff’s department presentation for a future meeting.
•Supervisors highlighted Filipino American historical contributions and local festival organization.
Decisions
•Board adopted the proclamation; recorded in minutes.
•Board approved staff recommendation to apply $88,292,009 in adjustments and to authorize the auditor‑controller to process related transactions.
•Proclamation adopted and entered into minutes.
•Proclamation approved and entered into minutes.
Directions
•Karina Wilson (Human Services) to reach out to department heads to identify coordinators; kickoff luncheon Oct. 20.
•Sheriff’s department to present on automated license‑plate/mass‑surveillance systems at a future Board meeting.
•Staff authorized to process accounting transactions; return with HR‑1 impact presentation.
Kern County Board of Supervisors 2:00 p.m. meeting for Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Kern County Board of Supervisors held its Oct. 13 meeting in Bakersfield, approving the consent calendar (including a large Airport Commerce Center project), adopting procedural rules for filling future board vacancies, directing staff to gather more information about groups helping released detainees and potential funding options, and voting to send a contingent letter of support for the Cadiz Northern Pipeline Project.
Discussion Points
•Cadiz's claim of delivering up to 25,000 acre-feet initially (with potential to 50,000 acre-feet)
•Clerk explained registration windows and speaker limits (10 in-person/10 remote for public presentations; 5/5 for agenda items)
•County counsel to research legal constraints on application conditions
•Employee described 9.5% compaction and impacts on promotion incentives
•Employee requested a formal county review and salary adjustments
•Item 5 contains multiple land-use approvals and conditions requiring recording of replacement drainage easements prior to resolution recording
•Project scope and history, including pipeline origins and Cadiz's purchase of a 220-mile segment
•Public comment in support citing jobs and training opportunities
•Resident reported confusion about sign-up and two-minute comment rules
•Staff encouraged outreach to federal partners and requested more specific data from Faith in the Valley
•Supervisors debated use of homeless prevention/homeward-bound funds vs. seeking federal funding
•Supervisors debated which documents should suffice to prove residency and whether the board can ask applicants about future candidacy
•Three procedural options presented for filling a vacancy (special election, interim appointment, appointment to finish term)
•Unresolved state-lands segment (approx. 1.1 miles) and pending State Lands Commission actions, plus ongoing legal challenges to the BLM approval
•Volunteer groups report assisting about 35 people per month; claimed $250,000 spent in 3 months
Decisions
•Admin Bulletin No. 43 adopted with amendments
•Consent agenda approved
•Motion approved (4 ayes, 1 absent) to forward the contingent letter of support
•Referral approved to collect information; no direct allocation approved
Directions
•Adopt bulletin with amendments requiring two residency proofs and add driver's license/vehicle registration to the acceptable list
•Approve contingent staff letter of support to State Lands Commission
•Monitor regulatory and legal developments
•Proceed with consent approvals and follow conditions on easement recording
•Staff to consult federal lobbyists and federal partners for potential funding
•Staff to gather additional data and report back
•Staff to offer one-on-one coaching and clarify sign-up instructions to the public
•Staff to receive the public comment and note for follow-up; no immediate board action recorded
Kern County’s county-produced news segment highlights a multilingual push to expand valley fever outreach, answers voter questions ahead of the Nov. 3 general election, and features renovations and new operations at the Diamond Village ballpark complex.
Discussion Points
•Application portal kernvote.com and pop-up events at libraries.
•Ballots begin mailing Oct. 5; voters should expect ballots shortly after mailing.
•Ballots can be returned by mail, official drop boxes (20) or at polling places; drop-box pickups occur regularly.
•Emphasis that translations must be accessible and culturally relevant.
•Facility improvements include renovated restrooms, revamped snack bar, and planned batting-cage expansion and lighting.
•Influencers Youth Sports assumed operations Sept. 1 and performed immediate maintenance (irrigation, spraying).
•Partnership with Kern Asian Chamber of Commerce and Valley Fever Americas Foundation to translate materials.
•Poll worker roles and eligibility (registered voters, legal permanent residents, county employees, students 16+).
Directions
•Operator to continue upgrades and advertise rentals and leagues via diamondvillage.net.
•Promote Valley Fever Ambassador program and translated materials.
Kern Council of Governments (Kern COG) September 17, 2026 Meetings
Kern Council of Governments Transportation Planning Policy Committee meeting covering consent items, a presentation on circulation updates/truck routes, allocations for TDA Article 3 bicycle and pedestrian projects, adoption of the 2026 Regional Transportation Plan and 2027 FTIP (with CEQA findings), Caltrans district project updates, district reports, and executive director announcements. Public commenters urged action on truck routes in Arvin and Lamont and asked for more health-focused mitigations.
Discussion Points
•A board member asked about breaking a large project (~$240M) into phases to pursue partial funding.
•Board members praised staff and emphasized the project's importance in enabling local funding and projects.
•Caltrans described onboarding of an encampment response crew and multiple grant cycles.
•Community speakers requested removal of consent item E and more information on circulation updates and truck routes.
•Detailed project updates were provided for SR‑166, SR‑204 (bridge), SR‑178, Delano SR‑155, Pumpkin Center rehab, and Arvin SR‑223 CAPM.
•Director reported outreach to federal officials and plans to pursue PROTECT grant for SR‑178.
•No major edits were proposed; committee moved to adopt the program.
•Public commenters raised truck-route and health concerns; staff said cargo study identifies possible routes and funding paths.
•Speakers emphasized health and pollution impacts of truck traffic through Arvin and Lamont and asked the agency to pursue funding for alternative routes (for example Edison).
•Staff presented the RTP/FTIP/PEIR package and summarized public outreach and responses to comments.
•Staff provided project timelines with anticipated design and construction windows (2027–2031 for several projects).
•Staff recognized for cargo study awards and work on 'green pass' concepts.
•Staff said the cargo study and green pass concept identify candidate routes and that staff will pursue funding with Caltrans.
•Staff summarized the funds available and claims submitted and noted that recommended projects are in the packet.
Decisions
•Adopted RTP, FTIP and CEQA findings (resolutions 26‑32 and 26‑33).
•Adoption of the FY26–27 TDA Article 3 program of projects.
•No immediate route re-designation or formal policy change adopted at this meeting; RTP adoption proceeded as noticed.
Directions
•Authorize chair to sign resolutions 26‑32 and 26‑33; staff to finalize documents and continue community coordination.
•Caltrans to provide updated maps and more detailed timelines next month; staff to follow up on bridge incident details and bus detour impacts.
•District 9 to follow up with staff and director on phasing options and report back to the committee.
•Staff to implement allocations and monitor reimbursements; report back on construction funding status for design-only projects.
•Staff to include community comments in the record and in RTP implementation planning.
•Staff to pursue funding avenues identified and incorporate community comments into implementation planning.
•Staff to pursue grant application and return with updates; members encouraged to engage in surveys and nomination processes.
•Staff to work with Caltrans to identify funding opportunities and continue community collaboration on truck-route solutions.
Kern County Board of Supervisors 2:00 p.m. meeting for Tuesday, September 29, 2026
Kern County Board of Supervisors approved the Galaxy Solar PV and storage project after staff and the applicant outlined mitigation measures and economic benefits; residents raised valley fever/dust complaints and asked for records review; speakers also pressed the county on emergency shelter capacity for families and local road safety near a housing tract.
Discussion Points
•Applicant described workforce, local hiring and tax revenue estimates and stated operations could begin in late 2029.
•Board members praised the workforce outcomes and noted apprenticeships and training pipelines.
•Board questioned contingency language for property tax treatment and cumulative impact charges if state-level exclusions applied.
•Planning staff described EIR mitigation measures and air‑district roles; applicant described on‑site operational controls and tree‑transplant efforts.
•Planning staff said traffic studies determine frontage and roadway improvements and that this project’s traffic analysis did not require an expansion of Heath Road.
•Resident asked for written plan and metrics for emergency overflow for families with children.
•Resident reported Heath Road is at 'max capacity' with no sidewalks or signals near his property and asked whether the proposed tract triggers infrastructure improvements.
•Resident requested a formal investigation and preservation of records related to dust complaints and enforcement actions.
•Staff described 68 mitigation measures in the final EIR including site specific fugitive dust control plans, water truck requirements, dust suppressants, phased grading and construction coordinator phone lines.
•Staff said an emergency family shelter (Open Door Network) and vouchers exist and that families are typically not turned away; staff offered to compile resources.
•Union speakers underscored apprenticeship programs, local hiring and a union labor agreement with the applicant.
Decisions
•Board certified the EIR, adopted findings, and approved project entitlements; motion passed (all ayes).
•No board action was taken; follow‑up through staff and the chair's office was offered.
•No formal county investigation was ordered during the meeting; request recorded and staff directed to follow up with county health.
•No formal referral or resolution adopted at the meeting; staff offered to produce a resource summary.
•Public comments in favor of the project were recorded and the board approved the project entitlements later in the meeting.
Directions
•Board to forward comments to county health and coordinate with county administrative office for follow‑up and record preservation (as stated by supervisors).
•Chair Peters asked the resident to contact his office for follow‑up and staff said they would coordinate with public works and planning to determine if frontage improvements are required.
•County staff clarified mitigation measure 4.14-2 provides for payment of either legally required property taxes or a cumulative impact charge depending on state action.
•No board directives beyond approval of the project; labor representatives invited board members to apprenticeship events and graduation ceremonies.
•Staff to coordinate with Department of Human Services and providers and bring back a consolidated list of available resources for families with children.
•Staff to implement mitigation monitoring and reporting program and finalize resolutions/ordinances.
Kern County Planning Commission, September 24, 2026
Kern County Planning Commission convened for its regular meeting on the 24th, 2026. Commissioners completed roll call, approved minutes, passed the consent agenda (including a modification to Conditional Use Permit No. 1-34 and a Williamson Act cancellation for 5.64 acres), reviewed appeal procedures and then adjourned.
Discussion Points
•Commission approved minutes and consent agenda; staff reviewed appeal filing procedures and fee
•Staff described the CUP modification and noted Planning Commission recommendation
•Staff explained parcel location and conditions for making cancellation effective
Decisions
•Forwarded to Board of Supervisors for final action
Kern County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo), September 16, 2026
At its September meeting, the Kern Local Agency Formation Commission opened proceedings to consider dissolving the inactive Weldon Regional Water District, received a countywide service-assessment report for 11 cities to guide future municipal service reviews, and appointed Mia Areola as an alternate public member. The commission approved routine minutes and an expense list and received a legislative update on bills that could affect LAFCO operations.
Discussion Points
•Assessment examines capacity, governance, infrastructure and fiscal health across 11 cities.
•Bills highlighted include AI-treatment clarification for public records/Brown Act, change to Public Records Act response timing, and SB 992 raising audit thresholds for very small districts.
•Candidate described local background and internships; commissioners expressed support for youth engagement in civic affairs.
•Commissioners requested maps and counts of residents in the service area to be provided at hearing stage.
•Dissolution initiation is procedural and requires subsequent public hearing; appointment fills seat 7.
•Multiple motions and votes were carried unanimously by roll call.
•Staff reported the district never organized a governing board, never adopted a budget or levied assessments, and never delivered water service.
•Staff will use public records only for the screening tool; municipal service reviews will solicit city responses.
Decisions
•All motions recorded as carried; no substantive opposition recorded.
•Commission appointed Mia Areola as alternate public member (seat 7) by unanimous roll call vote.
•Commission received the report for information and did not take action on any individual city.
•Commission voted to initiate dissolution proceedings; no final dissolution occurred at this meeting.
•Report received as informational; no formal action taken.
Directions
•Staff directed to provide notice and set a public hearing within 90 days and provide additional information (service-area population, maps) at that hearing.
•Staff to finalize appointment paperwork and update roster.
•Staff to monitor signed/awaiting-signature bills and consider implications for LAFCO review procedures.
•Staff to post notices, schedule a hearing, and update commission records.
•Staff to return with a proposed municipal service review sequence and scope.
Kern County Planning Commission, September 10, 2026
The Kern County Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of the Airport Commerce Center industrial project and forward it to the Board of Supervisors, after staff presented a final EIR that included 78 mitigation measures but identified significant unavoidable impacts in several areas.
Discussion Points
•Applicant committed to community workforce agreement and lease-based obligations.
•Applicant described site layout, tenant types, operations and job figures.
•Applicant emphasized operational commitments in leases and union labor build.
•Commissioners expressed brief support and no substantive questions were raised.
•Final EIR includes 78 mitigation measures.
•Public testimony was exclusively in support and emphasized union jobs and training.
•Staff outlined agency comment letters and the county's response to those comments.
•Staff presented EIR findings and recommended certification to the Board of Supervisors.
•Staff said some impacts remain significant and unavoidable.
•Unions described job and training benefits and encouraged approval.
Decisions
•Motion to recommend approval carried (3 ayes, 2 absent).
Directions
•Staff to set matter for Board of Supervisors consideration in September window.
Kern County Board of Supervisors 9:00 a.m. meeting for Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Kern County Board of Supervisors met Sept. 15, 2026 in Bakersfield for a morning session with proclamations, multiple public comments (including a referral on ALPR/"Flock" cameras), presentations on workforce and airports, and approval of an FAA grant for an airport master plan.
Discussion Points
•Board noted record passenger activity and regional economic benefits.
•Consent items approved; multiple ceremonial proclamations entered into minutes; referral created for ALPR cameras; FAA grant authorized.
•Open Door Network reported operational metrics (employment and trash removed) and social benefits for participants.
•Proclamation and event schedule; Links for Life provided program metrics and mobile screening requests.
•Public commenters argued ALPRs threaten privacy, can be misused, and lack transparency.
•Speakers cited national audits and past contract abuses as reasons for local review.
•Staff described master plan scope: inventory, activity forecast, ALP and prioritization of projects.
Decisions
•Grant acceptance and signature authorization approved unanimously.
•Multiple motions approved as recorded.
•Proclamation approved and entered into minutes.
•Referral approved (3 ayes, 2 absent).
Directions
•Authorize director to sign grant documents and proceed with master plan work.
•Links for Life to provide invitations and work with supervisors on district mobile screenings.
•Refer to Sheriff and CAO for review and report back.
•Staff follow-ups for referred items and grant execution.
•Supervisors expressed interest in future partnership and workforce task force involvement.
Kern County Board of Supervisors 2:00 p.m. meeting for Tuesday, September 1, 2026
At a Kern County Board of Supervisors meeting, the board approved the consent agenda, heard a public commenter who said county code enforcement withdrew a demolition-related permit action, and a remote tenant, David Abbasi, alleged an ongoing pigeon infestation at county public housing and asked the board to direct Public Health to act; the board voted to refer the complaint to Public Health and County Counsel.
Discussion Points
•Abbasi described an eight-month vector infestation with reported illnesses and claimed Housing Authority declined a $3,000 netting repair.
•Chair explained consent agenda process and which items were included; public comment and departmental withdrawal occurred before the vote.
•Parra said County code compliance posted a notice and pulled a permit without a certified letter; he asserted he had nearly completed the work.
Kern County Board of Supervisors 9:00 a.m. meeting for Tuesday, September 1, 2026
Kern County Board of Supervisors met Sept. 1, 2026; the board approved consent items and issued proclamations recognizing Hunger Action Month, National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and Workforce Development Month, heard several public comments about election integrity, and then adjourned to closed session.
Discussion Points
•CAPK distributes >1,500,000 lbs of food monthly.
•County 988 line usage: ~40,500 text chats; ~7,500 involved suicidal thoughts.
•ETR impacted ~2,600 people; 387 in paid work experience; nearly 1,200 trained.
•Food Policy Council estimates ~200,000 county residents are food insecure.
•Public speakers cited 2024 precinct and ballot handling problems and recommended steps including paper continuity, independent verification and hand‑count contingency plans.
•Rapid response services helped ~880 workers; a 2024 grant served displaced oil & gas workers with ~600 enrolled and 200+ placed.
•Scope of consent items read by the clerk; items 41, 42 and closed session item 60 withdrawn by staff.
Decisions
•Consent agenda approved; meeting adjourned to closed session.
•No formal action or referral recorded during the meeting.
•Proclamation approved.
•Proclamation approved; no policy action mandated.
Directions
•Board encouraged continued outreach and education; BHRS to host listed events.
•Board encouraged continued partnerships; staff to coordinate outreach and report back.
•Board encouraged continued partnership with employers and community outreach programs.
•No directive from the board recorded at the meeting to implement the requested contingency plans; auditor offered procedural reassurance.
Kern County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo), August 19, 2026
Kern Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) met on August 19 to receive a briefing on the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) from the Kern Nondistricted Lands Authority, consider multiple annexations and municipal service reviews (including City of Bakersfield and Mohave Public Utilities District items), approve routine administrative items, and discuss an appointment for a public-member alternate.
Discussion Points
•0.15 acre-feet native-yield applies to nondistricted lands
•Annexation has 100% landowner consent
•Annexation to establish zones of benefit for future residential development
•Candidate Mia Ariella introduced herself and described her background
•Commission needs baseline understanding before future water-related LAFCO items
•KNDLA developing demand-management plan and outreach
•Master tax agreement required before recordation
•Mohave PUD is financially sound; annexation will support an organics-to-energy facility; EIR includes mitigation and a statement of overriding considerations for air quality and traffic.
•MSR notes population decline and DUC adjacency
•No agricultural land conversion
•No fee structure or differentiation finalized
•Option A (proceed under existing notice) vs Option B (reopen recruitment) discussed
•SGMA background and basin characteristics presented
•SOI amendment conditioned on annexation recordation
•State reviews required multiple plan revisions and interventions
•Website ADA compliance steps completed with vendor product purchased
•Weldon Regional Water District is inactive and staff will present dissolution resolution next month
Decisions
•Annexation approved, waiver of hearing under Gov Code §56663
•MSR adopted; annexation approved subject to mitigation and indemnification
•MSR adopted; SOI amendment and annexation approved
•Proceed under existing notice; consider appointment at next meeting
•Staff to prepare dissolution resolution and ADA compliance actions already funded and implemented
Directions
•Encourage landowner participation in KNDLA meetings
•Staff to bring candidate materials for formal appointment next meeting
Kern County Board of Supervisors 2:00 p.m. meeting for Tuesday, August 25, 2026
Kern County Board of Supervisors met Aug. 25, 2026; the board adopted a staff-drafted position letter on Assembly Joint Resolution 23, heard two public commenters about detention-center conditions and county challenges, received a supervisory inquiry about withholding public funds, approved the consent agenda, and adjourned to Sept. 1.
Discussion Points
•Bain asserted various county-level problems (public safety ranking, educational attainment, doctor-to-resident ratios, animal shelter capacity) and opposed policy measures he said would harm Kern.
•County counsel offered to investigate and provide a response; counsel said a referral would be required for a formal board report.
•Kuahara stated staff's recommended action to adopt the letter and authorize the chairman to sign correspondence.
•No public speakers were registered; motion and second were recorded and the board approved the items.
•Schaffhauser alleged illegal detention practices, poor food quality, delayed medical care, inter-state transfers, and profiteering by private contractors.
•Staff presented a formal letter expressing Kern County's concerns about AJR 23 and the marginalization of inland counties in state policymaking.
•Staff read the pages and items included in the consent agenda.
•Supervisor Perez raised a constituent's concern about the permissibility of threatening to withhold public funds from private businesses.
Decisions
•Board adopted the staff position letter and authorized the chair to sign.
•Consent agenda approved.
Directions
•Chairman authorized to sign correspondence after board action.
•Perez to meet privately with counsel and decide whether to refer the matter for formal consideration.
•Supervisor Perez offered to meet with Bain and staff to discuss concerns further.
Around Kern County episode highlighting Meadows Field's new United nonstop to Los Angeles, the Ready, Set, Back to School fair (about 3,000 backpacks distributed), Child Support Awareness Month services, and seasonal park pool/splash-pad closures.
Discussion Points
•Child Support Awareness Month noted; services include job referrals via Employers Training Resources and a mobile office.
•Event has been held for 17 years; staff fundraise to provide around 3,000 backpacks.
•Last day to swim at Jim Williford Park pool: Aug. 30; splash pads at Pioneer, Castleoma and Ford City parks close after Labor Day weekend.
•New United nonstop service launched between Bakersfield and Los Angeles on Aug. 11; water salute observed
