The Kern County Board of Supervisors met today as scheduled for Tuesday’s September 26, 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 the morning session. Supervisor Leticia Perez (District 5) was absent from the afternoon session. 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. 2 AM session: 
• The Board proclaimed October 2023 as Paint the Town Pink Month in Kern County in recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 
• Item No. 3 AM session: 
• The Board proclaimed “Sitting Pretty: The View from My Ordinary Resilient Disabled Body” by Rebekah Taussig as the primary title for this year’s Fall 2023 One Book Project community read. 
• Item No. 4 AM session: 
• The Board proclaimed October 2023 as Get Outside Month in Kern County. 
• Item No. 10 AM session: 
• Under Board member announcements, Kern County’s Chief General Services Officer, Geoffrey Hill, presented about a $1.5 million investment in upcoming improvements at Casa Loma Park, which includes new lighting, a soccer field, walking path, restrooms, and play structure, among others.  
• Watch the entire presentation here.  
• Item No. 11 AM session: 
• The Board approved an agreement with the Bakersfield Senior Center, Inc. to provide congregate senior nutrition services in central and south-central Bakersfield through June of 2024.  
• Items No. 17 – 18 AM session: 
• The Board approved agreements with the Valley Caregiver Resource Center for Family Caregiver Support Program services for eastern Kern County, Tehachapi, California City, Boron, and Rosamond through June of 2024. 
• Item No. 26 AM session: 
• The Board approved an agreement with the California Institute for Behavioral Health Solutions to provide Behavioral Health and Recovery Services with funding to address opioid and stimulant use disorder in Kern County residents ages 12 to 24 years old. 
• Item No. 33 AM session: 
• The Board approved an agreement with La Cooperativa Campesina de California for Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Temporary Housing Assistance Program services through September of 2024. 
• Item No. 39 AM session: 
• The Board approved the Kern County Library’s request to apply for and accept funding from the Zip Books Grant. 
• Item No. 40 AM session: 
• The Board approved the Kern County Probation Department appropriating unanticipated revenue from the State of California Juvenile Justice Realignment Block Grant (SB 823) and revenue from the Budget Act of 2022 (AB 178) to establish a mid-year capital project for the design and permitting of a multipurpose building at the James G. Bowles Youth Detention Center. 
• Item No. 47 AM session: 
• The Board approved an agreement with the California Department of Public Health for funding for the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention program through June of 2026. 
• Items No. 12 – 16 PM session: 
• The Board held a series of protest hearings for cost incurred for various nuisance abatement work throughout unincorporated Kern County.     
• This effort supports the enhancement of quality-of-life for Kern County residents.     
• Item No. 29 PM session: 
• The Board approved a resolution of appreciation for sustainable agriculture efforts in Kern County to honor local farmers and ranchers for leading the way in this industry. 
• Item No. 31 PM session: 
• The Board voted to contribute $400 to Shelter on the Hill to support a fundraiser event for lost and abandoned animals in the Frazier Mountain communities. 
• Item No. 32 PM session: 
• The Board voted to contribute $510 to Wreaths Across America to place wreaths at veterans’ graves. 
• Item No. 33 PM session: 
• The Board voted to contribute $500 to the Greater Lamont Chamber of Commerce and $500 to the Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to support community events. 
• Item No. 34 PM session: 
• The Board voted to contribute $1,000 to the North Bakersfield Rotary Foundation for the purchase of food items for Thanksgiving baskets for families in need. 
• Item No. 35 PM session: 
• The Board voted to contribute $1,000 to the Sheriff’s Activity League to support activities. 
• Item No. 36 PM session: 
• The Board voted to contribute $1,000 to the Community Action Partnership of Kern to support services at the Friendship House. 
• Item No. 37 PM session: 
• The Board voted to contribute $850 to Wreaths Across America to place wreaths at veterans’ graves. 
• Item No. 38 PM session: 
• The Board voted to contribute $500 to the Kern River Parkway Foundation to support wildlife habitat of the Kern River and Keepers of the Cross to help supply meals the homeless in Oildale.  
• Item No. 47 PM session: 
• The Board approved a contract with S&B Sons, Inc. for Casa Loma Park improvements.  
• Watch the entire presentation here. 
• Item No. 51 PM session: 
• The Board approved an agreement with the Kern County Fire Fighters Union for changes to wages, hours, and terms and conditions of employment to provide a 3% annual equity adjustment, longevity pay up to 10%, urban search and rescue and hazmat specialty pay, and side letter agreement for paramedic pay and the enhancement of the paramedic program, expiring June of 2026.  
• Item No. 52 PM session: 
• The Board approved a side letter agreement with the Kern County Fire Fighters Union for an enhanced paramedic program.  
• Item No. 53 PM session: 
• The Board approved a resolution changing terms and conditions of employment for Bargaining Units M, D, and X, to provide certification pay countywide and salary adjustments for management and mid-management classifications not included in prior adjustment, effective October 7, 2023.  

The next Regular Board Meetings are scheduled for October 10, 2023, at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.