Board of Supervisors Meeting Recap for July 14, 2026

The Kern County Board of Supervisors met today as scheduled for Tuesday's July 14, 2026, Board Meeting. Chairman Phillip Peters (District 1), Supervisor Jeff Flores (District 3), Supervisor David Couch (District 4), and Supervisor Leticia Perez (District 5) were in attendance. Supervisor Chris Parlier (District 2) was absent. 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 adopted a Resolution honoring Mary Gutierrez, Department of Human Services, upon her retirement with 25 years of dedicated service to the County of Kern.

Item No. 2 AM session:

The Board adopted a Resolution honoring Cherree Miller, Department of Human Services, upon her retirement with 35 years of dedicated service to the County of Kern.

You can watch the presentation HERE .

Item No. 3 AM session:

The Board adopted a Resolution honoring Monique Hawkins, Department of Human Services, upon her retirement with 29 years of dedicated service to the County of Kern.

You can watch the presentation HERE.

Item No. 4 AM session:

The Bord proclaimed July 19-25 as Probation Services Week in Kern County.

You can watch the presentation HERE.

Item No. 5 AM session:

The Board proclaimed July 2026 as Books in Motion, a summer dance and literacy program in Kern County.

You can watch the presentation HERE .

Item No. 6 AM session:

The Board proclaimed July 2026 as Purple Ribbon Month in Kern County, in acknowledgement of "Kaitlyn's Law."

Item No. 18 AM session:

The Board approved Aging and Adult Services to retroactively accept one-time funding from California Department of Social Services (CDSS) for continuation of Home Safe Program, providing housing-related support to Adult Protective Services (APS) clients, from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028, in the amount of $1,237,23.

Item No. 19 AM session:

The Board approved a retroactive Agreement with Alzheimer's Disease Association of Kern County to provide Title III E Family Caregiver Support Program services, from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, in an amount not to exceed $84,066.

Item No. 38 AM session:

The Board authorized Elections Division to conduct a General Municipal Election in the City of Delano on Tuesday, November 3, for three measures.

Item No. 39 AM session:

The Board declared the results official as certified by the County Clerk for the Statewide Direct Primary election held on June 2, 2026.

Item No. 52 AM session:

The Board approved a Revenue Agreement with Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc., to accept funding for the Housing and Homelessness Incentive Program (HHIP), from July 14, 2026 through June 1, 2027, in a total amount not to exceed $30,000.

Item No. 60 AM session:

The Board adopted the proposed Resolution retroactively authorizing the District Attorney to submit a grant application for the Office for Victims of Crime FY26. If awarded, this grant totaling $500,000 over three years will allow the District Attorney's Office to retain additional staff to provide direct services for child and youth victims of abuse and sexual assault.

Item No. 68 AM session:

The Board approved a proposed retroactive sole source Agreement with Flood Ministries Inc., to provide Housing and Disability Advocacy Program (HDAP) services for disabled individuals experiencing homelessness, from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, in an amount not to exceed $417,032.

Item No. 77 AM session:

The Board approved the proposed retroactive Amendment No. 1 to Agreement 556-2025 with San Diego State University Research Foundation, providing independent audit services for Child Welfare Services (CWS), on behalf of the Social Policy Institute, for an external review of child welfare services, to modify the scope of work to include implementation plan, extend term through June 30, 2027, and increase compensation by $200,000, for a new amount not to exceed $411,963.

Item No. 6 PM session:

The Board held a public hearing at the request of MAG Energy for a change in zone classification and a Conditional Use Permit for the construction and operation of a 1,477-kilowatt accessory solar photovoltaic (PV) facility on the southeast corner of United Street and Laguna Avenue, Mojave area. The Board adopted the Resolution and enacted the Ordinance approve the zone change as requested.

Item No. 15 PM session:

The Board authorized Public Works to publish a notice to bidders opening Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. for Contract No. 25053 for road rehabilitation on South Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, from Casa Loma to State Route 58, Bakersfield.

Item No. 16 PM session:

The Board authorized Public Works to publish a notice to bidders opening Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. for Contract No. 26002 for roadway paving on San Jose Avenue, from West Cecil Avenue to County Line Road, Delano.

Item No. 29 PM session:

The Board approved a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Kern Council of Governments, acting as Kern Motorist Aid Authority, for the operation and funding of hazard and obstruction removal program on State Highways within Kern County, effective July 14, 2026 through June 30, 2027. The program is intended to clean up litter and debris along state highways that could cause motorist accidents.

Item No. 41 PM session:

The Board approved the continuation of a local emergency for an additional 60 days due to the presence and threat of invasive Golden Mussels.

You can watch the presentation HERE.

Item No. 43 PM session:

The Board approved the proposed recommendation of 27 preliminary census tracts as Countywide Opportunity Zones to the State of California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development.

Items No. 45 - 47 PM session:

The Board approved the following contributions to community organizations: Safe Haven Kids League, in the amount of $1,100; Kern County Law Enforcement Foundation, in the amount of $1,000; Valley Fever Americas Foundation, in the amount of $500; Rotary Club of Taft Foundation, in the amount of $500; Royten's Enrichment Academy Community Hope, in the amount of $250; Honor Flight Kern County, in the amount of $500; Kern Athletic Fencing Foundation, in the amount of $2,000; Kern County Farm Bureau, in the amount of $1,400; GMP Productions, in the amount of $15,000, for the U.S. 250 Tour celebrating the nation's 250th Anniversary and supporting the July 3rd event.

Item No. 48 PM session:

The Board received and filed a report in response to a request on June 16, 2026, referral regarding solar tax exclusion legislation and California Energy Commission permitting authority.

You can watch the presentation HERE.

Item No. 52 PM session:

The Board adopted a Resolution of Intent to set and advertise a public hearing for Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. for the proposed transfer of surplus real property located at 17053 Shafter Avenue, in Shafter, to California State University, Bakersfield, Foundation.

The next Regular Board Meetings are scheduled for July 28, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.