Board of Supervisors Recap for May 19, 2026

The Kern County Board of Supervisors met today as scheduled for Tuesday's May 19, 2026, Board Meeting. Chairman Phillip Peters (District 1), Supervisor Chris Parlier (District 2), Supervisor 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 adopted a Resolution honoring Timothy Stinson, Probation Department, upon his retirement with 27 years of dedicated service to the County of Kern.

Item No. 2 AM session:

The Board proclaimed June 2026 as Elder Abuse Awareness Month in Kern County.

You can watch the presentation HERE.

Item No. 3 AM session:

The Board proclaimed May 2026 as Community Action Month in Kern County.

You can watch the presentation HERE.

Item No. 7 AM session:

The Board set a hearing to consider proposed revisions to Department of Agriculture and Measurement Standards' Schedule of Fees for Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. The department proposes to increase Phytosanitary Certification (Federal and State Certificates) fees from $40 a certificate to $43 a certificate.

Item No. 8 AM session:

The Board approved the Airports request to appropriate unanticipated revenue because of Senate Bill 661 (SB661) from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and approve funds transfer agreement for Meadows Field Airport rehabilitation and taxiway widening construction, in the amount of $1,000,000.

Item No. 10 AM session:

The Board approved a retroactive Agreement Good Samaritan Hospital, LP, to provide inpatient medical detoxification services for residents in Kern County, from April 14, 2026 through June 30, 2027.

Item No. 12 AM session:

The Board approved an Agreement with Desert Oasis Recovery, to provide residential substance use treatment services, from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. Desert Oasis will provide residential substance use treatment services for adolescent and adult clients residing in Kern County. This includes group counseling and related activities that support recovery and a commitment to abstinence.

Item No. 13 AM session:

The Board approved a retroactive Agreement with National Council for Mental Health Career Accelerator Program, to provide outreach and recruitment support activities, from April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027.

Item No. 17 AM session:

The County Administrative Office presented the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Homeless and Housing Annual Report.

The Board received and filed the report.

You can watch the presentation HERE.

Item No. 18 AM session:

The Board adopted the employer and employee contribution rates for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 as reflected in the Actuarial Valuation as of June 30, 2025, as recommended by the Kern County Employee's Retirement Association (KCERA).

You can watch the presentation HERE.

Item No. 19 AM session:

The County Administrative Office presented the preliminary Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget Recommendations.

The Board received and filed the report.

You can watch the presentation HERE.

Item No. 20 AM session:

The County Administrative Office presented a report on polling and survey results regarding Kern County's Transient Occupancy Tax.

The Board received and filed the report.

You can watch the presentation HERE.

Item No. 21 AM session:

The Board approved an Agreement with The Open-Door Network to provide comprehensive street outreach services for individuals experiencing homelessness in Oildale, from May 19, 2026 through June 30, 2028 in an amount not to exceed $900,000 from the County's allocation of Homeless and Housing Assistance and Prevention Round 5 (HHAP5) grant funds.

Item No. 33 AM session:

The Board held a hearing pursuant to the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act (TEFRA) and proposed Resolution to approve issuance not to exceed $18,000,000 in tax exempt rental housing revenue bonds by Housing Authority for the Little Village RAD development. The proceeds will be used to rehabilitate and modernize 154 multi-family units located at 714 Smith Street, Bakersfield, and retain the properties for affordable housing. The Board approved the issuance of bonds and adopted the Resolution.

Item No. 1 PM session:

The Board proclaimed May 17 - 23, 2026, as National Public Works Week.

You can watch the presentation HERE.

Item No. 6 PM session:

A public hearing was held to consider a proposed Ordinance establishing an increase in sewer service charges within County Service Area (CSA) No. 71.3, located in west Bakersfield and served by the North of River Sanitary District for Fiscal Year 2026-2027. The Board enacted the Ordinance approving the rate increase.

You can watch the presentation HERE.

Item No. 8 PM session:

A public hearing was held to consider requested rate increase and Ordinance establishing the schedule for solid waste collection charges for all residential non-tax roll billed properties in Garbage Zone 3, Franchise Areas 3, 19, 38, and 43, in unincorporated Kern County for Fiscal Year 2026-2027. The Board enacted the Ordinance.

Item No. 19 PM session:

The Board approved revisions to the Administrative and Procedural Rules for the Proceedings of the Board of Supervisors, including Senate Bill 707 (SB707) amendments to the Ralph M Brown Act (Government Code section 54950 et seq.), modernizing public agencies' meeting protocols related to public accessibility.

You can watch the presentation HERE.

Item No. 21 PM session:

The Board approved a contribution to St. Peter Restoration Community Christian Ministries, in the amount of $500, to support a community event.

Item No. 22 PM session:

The Board approved the General Services Division to publish notice to contractors for the Riverside Park Embankment Repair Project with the bid opening on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.

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