Board of Supervisors Meeting Recap for April 14, 2026

The Kern County Board of Supervisors met today as scheduled for Tuesday's April 14, 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 Probation Supervisor Katrina Garcia, Probation Department, upon her retirement with 26 years of dedicated service to the County of Kern.

Item No. 2 AM session:

The Board proclaimed April 19 - 25, 2026 as Crime Victims' Rights Week in Kern County.

You can watch the presentation HERE.

Item No. 3 AM session:

The Board proclaimed May 2, 2026, as Wildfire Community Preparedness Day in Kern
County.

You can watch the presentation HERE.

Item No. 4 AM session:

The Board proclaimed April 2026 as Second Chance Month in Kern County.

You can watch the presentation HERE .

Item No. 5 AM session:

The Board proclaimed April 18, 2026, as Scottish Games and Gatherings Day in Kern County.

You can watch the presentation HERE.

Item No. 10 AM session:

The Board approved the proposed selection of Valley Caregiver Resource Center as successful vendor in response to Request for Proposals (RFP), to provide Ombudsman Program Services from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028.

Item No. 11 AM session:

The Board approved a retroactive Agreement with Santa Barbara Humane Society (SBHS), for transfer of dogs from Kern County Animal Services to SBHS for placement, medical care, and adoption services, effective March 31, 2026.

Item No. 12 AM session:

The Board approved an Agreement with Petszel to utilize their services for post adoption support, effective April 14, 2026. Petzel is a mission-driven pet technology organization focused on improving the post-adoption experience for shelter animals and their new families.

Item No. 13 AM session:

The Board approved a Grant Agreement with California Secretary of State, for Help America Vote Act (HAVA) Federal Funding, to provide Kern County reimbursement up to $8,324, with no County match required, for qualifying purchases for activities to improve the administration of Federal office elections.

Item No. 20 AM session:

The Board approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Wasco Union High School District, to provide campus access to Behavioral Health and Recovery Services staff and contracted behavioral health providers in order to provide substance use treatment services to high-risk adolescents, from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.

Item No. 23 AM session:

The Clerk of the Board presented on the implementation of Senate Bill 707 (SB707) amendments to the Ralph M Brown Act, modernizing public agencies' meeting protocols related to public accessibility, to be effective July 1, 2026.

You can watch the presentation HERE.

Item No. 43 AM session:

The Board approved an Agreement with California Department of Public Health (CDPH), for the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention program, from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028.

Item No. 53 AM session:

A public hearing was held to conduct a community engagement meeting and proposed Resolution renewing Ordinance G-9185 related to KCSO military equipment use policy per Government Code Section 7072(b). The Board approved and adopted the Resolution.

Item No. 1 PM session:

The Board approved plans and specifications for Contract No. 26015 and authorized the Public Works Department to publish a Notice to Bidders on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., for Kern Sanitation Authority sewer segment replacement in East Bakersfield.

Item No. 4 PM session:

A public hearing was held for proposed substantial amendment to County of Kern Annual Action Plan for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-2025, for Community Development Programs for developer to construct a new duplex at 6424 Lynch Canyon Drive, Mountain Mesa. The Board approved the substantial amendment to the Annual Action Plan to allocate HOME funds and authorized the Director of Planning and Natural Resources Department to sign all documentation related to the substantial amendment.

You can watch the presentation HERE.

Item No. 7 PM session:

The Board approved Public Works Department request to set a public hearing for Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. to consider a requested rate increase and an Ordinance establishing the schedule of 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.

Item No. 8 PM session:

The Board approved and adopted a Resolution of Intent to set and advertise a public hearing set for Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. for proposed purchase of an easement located at 1838 Renfro Road in Bakersfield. The Public Works Department is currently planning a future road improvement project to construct a new segment of roadway to be known as a portion of Palm Avenue. This new segment will connect Palm Avenue, between Renfro Road and Westdale Drive in Bakersfield.

Item No. 18 PM session:

The Board approved the Public Works Department request for mid-year capital asset acquisition of one 1-ton flatbed graffiti truck supporting Public Works' Graffiti Abatement Program and newly established graffiti crew, in an amount not to exceed $120,000.

Item No. 19 PM session:

The Board approved the Public Works Department request for mid-year capital asset acquisition of two half-ton crew cab trucks for use by newly established graffiti crew, in an amount not to exceed $130,000.

Item No. 24 PM session:

The Board approved plans and specifications for Contract No. 25033 and authorized the Public Works Department to publish a Notice to Bidders beginning on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. for drainage repairs at Edison Road and Panama Road, Bakersfield.

Item No. 25 PM session:

The Board approved plans and specifications for Contract No. 26018 and authorized the Public Works Department to publish a Notice to Bidders beginning on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. for asphalt concrete stockpiles and windrow stockpiles at various locations in Kern County.

Item No. 37 PM session:

The Board approved an Agreement with Kern River Parkway Foundation for educational services at the Nature Center from April 14, 2026, through April 13, 2027. This will expand services to include hosting Hart Park Spring events, organizing Family Fun Days, and collaborating with the Bakersfield School District and other groups to provide educational opportunities about the river habitat.

Item No. 39 PM session:

The Board approved a contribution Agreement with Arts Council of Kern for vocational training from April 14, 2026, through April 13, 2027, in the amount of $6,000. This will provide additional funding to support services for the benefit of Kern County Probation Youth.

Items No. 42 - 47 PM session:

The Board approved contributions to support various community organizations and outreach efforts, including Shielding the Frontline, Kern County Inc., in the amount of $1,000; Fred Zulfa Memorial Scholarship Fund, in the amount of $1,000; Hellenic Community of St. George Greek Orthodox Church, in the amount of $700; Arts Council of Kern, in the amount of $500; Bakersfield Police Officers Association, in the amount of $1,000; Wasco Recreation and Park District, in the amount of $500; Youth 2 Leaders Education Fund, in the amount of $1,000; American Cancer Society, in the amount of $1,000; Kern High School District, in the amount of $1,250; Lucky's Crew Animal Rescue, in the amount of $2,000; Bakersfield East Rotary Foundation, in the amount of $500; Bakersfield-North Future Farmers of America (FFA) Alumni, in the amount of $500; and $500 each to Mountain Communities Family Resource Center; Shielding the Frontline, Kern County Inc.; American Cancer Society; Kiwanis Club of Taft; Honor Flight Kern County, in the amount of $1,500; Kern Community Foundation, in the amount of $200; Tehachapi Loop Railroad Club, in the amount of $250; Taft College Foundation, in the amount of $400; and Keep Bakersfield Beautiful, in the amount of $1,500, to support community events; and Tehachapi Arts Foundation, in the amount of $2,000.

Item No. 48 PM session:

A public hearing was held on proposed Resolution and Ordinance granting a new 20-year non-public utility pipeline franchise to SFPP, L.P., for oil, natural gas, and produced water pipelines. The Board adopted a Resolution and enacted Ordinance.

Item No. 49 PM session:

The Board identified apparent low, responsive, and responsible bid and approve proposed Contract No. CS25-0007, with Eclipse Construction Services, Inc., for Heritage Park Beautification - Phase IV Project, in an amount not to exceed $146,600.

Item No. 51 PM session:

The Board approved General Services Division's request for retroactive authorization to apply for grant funding through the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District for urban greening improvements at Lamont Park. The funds will be used to install 54 trees and irrigation at the park.

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