The Kern County Board of Supervisors met today as scheduled for Tuesday’s December 5, 2023, Board Meeting. Supervisor Phillip Peters (District 1), Supervisor Zack Scrivner (District 2), Chairman Jeff Flores (District 3), Supervisor David Couch (District 4), and Supervisor Leticia Perez (District 5) were in attendance. For information on how to address the Board on a specific agenda item or provide general public comment, please click here.   

Meeting Highlights:  

• Item No. 1 AM session: 
• The Board presented a certificate of recognition honoring North of the River Recreation and Park District serving the north Bakersfield area, in commemoration of the 50th Annual North of the River Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 9, 2023. 
• Item No. 10 AM session: 
• The Board approved the purchase of a new audio-visual presentation system for election worker training to support the success of the Kern County election process. 
• Item No. 12 AM session: 
• The Board approved a grant agreement with First 5 Kern to provide parent support and early childhood program workshops that strengthen parental bonds through May of 2024. 
• Item No. 15 AM session: 
• The Board approved a resolution authorizing the Kern County Department of Human Services to apply for and accept the Department of Housing and Community Development Transitional Housing Program allocation and Housing Navigation and Maintenance Program allocation awards. 
• This funding will be used to assist young adults in the foster care system and probation system with attaining housing and comprehensive support services. 
• Item No. 24 AM session: 
• The Board approved an agreement with Tom’s Truck for two refrigerated vans to expand the Waste Hunger Not Food program to provide important healthy resources to residents in need. 
• Item No. 7 PM session: 
• The Board conducted a public hearing and approved the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice for Kern County and cities of California City, Ridgecrest, Shafter, and Tehachapi, updated July 2023, which is required by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as a condition of participation in the Community Development Block Grant Program, the HOME Investment Partnership Program, and the Emergency Solutions Grants Program.  
• Item No. 8 PM session: 
• The Board conducted a public hearing and approved an amendment to the County of Kern Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Annual Action Plan for Community Development Program Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) funding to various projects across our communities to assist those who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness.  
• Items No. 9 – 22 PM session: 
• The Board conducted a series of public hearings to consider resolutions establishing Universal Collection Areas and an ordinance establishing the schedule of universal solid waste collection charges for all residential properties for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 and provide for the collection of the same tax roll for the following areas: Kern Valley, McFarland, Tehachapi, Mojave, Frazier Park, Boron, Ridgecrest, Rosamond, Arvin, Delano, Northwest Metro, Outer Metro, Outer Taft, and Shafter-Wasco.  
• These proposed charges are a result of compliance with State Legislation Senate Bill 1383, a mandate that requires California counties to collaborate with their jurisdictions regarding organic waste recycling and food recovery capacity required to divert organic waste from landfills into recycling activities and food recovery organizations.  
• Today’s 14 protest hearings are in compliance with Proposition 218, which states if the opposition of any area’s fee by residents is 50% plus one vote, then the fee cannot be imposed on that community. The communities of Boron, Frazier Park, Kern Valley, McFarland, Mojave, and Tehachapi had known successful protests as of today’s Board hearing. Therefore, the proposed Universal Collection Areas will not be created and fees will not be imposed by the Board of Supervisors on these areas. 
• The Board did not take action to create resolutions to establish Universal Collection Areas and did not adopt ordinances establishing the schedule of universal solid waste collection charges for all residential properties from Fiscal Year 2024-2025 and provide for the collection of the same tax roll for the following areas: Ridgecrest, Rosamond, Arvin, Delano, Northwest Metro, Outer Metro, Outer Taft, and Shafter-Wasco.  
• Watch today’s entire presentation here.  
• Item No. 26 PM session: 
• The Board approved a mid-year capital project for design of a Rosamond Sheriff Substation, and transfer of General Fund designation for future infrastructure development. 
• Item No. 28 PM session: 
• The Board identified and approved the lowest responsible bid with Ken W. Smith Construction, Inc. to build the George and Darlene Randall Skate Park located in the Linda Kissack Park in Lake Isabella.  

The next Regular Board Meetings are scheduled for December 19, 2023, at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.