The Kern County Board of Supervisors met today as scheduled for Tuesday’s July 29, 2025, Board Meeting. Supervisor Phillip Peters (District 1), Supervisor Chris Parlier (District 2), Supervisor Jeff Flores (District 3), Supervisor David Couch (District 4), and Chairwoman 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 Deputy Sheriff Zeferino Barron, Jr., upon his retirement with 30 years of dedicated service to the County of Kern.

Item No. 2 AM session:

The Board adopted a resolution honoring Kevin Thompson, Sheriff’s Office, upon his retirement with 28 years of dedicated service to the County of Kern.

Item No. 3 AM session:

The Board proclaimed August 2025 as Child Support Awareness Month in Kern County. You can watch the presentation HERE.

Item No. 12 AM session:

The Board approved an Agreement with Alzheimer’s Disease Association of Kern County to provide Title III E Family Caregiver Support Program services from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.

Item No. 13 AM session:

The Board approved an Agreement with the Bakersfield Senior Center, Inc., to provide Title III C-1 Congregate Senior Nutrition Program services in central and south central Bakersfield from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.

Item No. 14 AM session:

The Board approved an Agreement with Delano Unified School District to provide Title III C Senior Nutrition Program services in the Delano area from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.

Item No. 15 AM session:

The Board approved an Agreement with North of the River Recreation and Park District to provide Title III C Senior Nutrition Program services in the northern Bakersfield area from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.

Items No. 16 – No. 17 AM session:

The Board approved Agreements with Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance, Inc., to provide Title III B Legal Assistance services and Title III E Family Caregiver Support Program services from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.

Items No. 18 – No. 20 AM session:

The Board approved Agreements with Ridgecrest Regional Hospital, Inc., to provide Title III B Case Management services, Title III B Homemaker services, and Title III B Information and Assistance services for eastern Kern County area from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.

Items No. 21 – No. 24 AM session:

The Board approved Agreements with Valley Caregiver Resource Center to provide Title III B Homemaker Program services in Kern River Valley/Lake Isabella area, Title III B Homemaker Program services in Shafter, Delano, and Tehachapi areas, Title III-E Family Caregiver Support Program services in eastern Kern County area, and Title III-E Family Caregiver Support Program services in southeast Kern County area from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.

Item No. 28 AM session:

The Board approved a sole source Agreement with Bakersfield Behavioral Healthcare Hospital, LLC, to provide inpatient psychiatric hospital services for adult and minor mental health clients who reside in Kern County from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.

Item No. 31 AM session:

The Board heard a presentation by the County Administrative Office on the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Recommended Budget.  You can watch the presentation HERE.

Item No. 37 AM session:

The Board approved an Agreement with First 5 Kern to provide early intervention screening services for foster youth from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028.

Item No. 38 AM session:

The Board approved an Agreement with Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance Inc., to provide Housing and Disability Advocacy Program services from July 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025.

Item No. 39 AM session:

The Board approved an Agreement with Covenant Community Services, Inc., for administration of Transitional Housing Program-Plus services to youth who have emancipated from the foster care system from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027.

Item No. 41 AM session:

The Board held a public hearing regarding the proposed reduction to Kern County Public Health Services, effective August 16, 2025, in an estimated annual savings of $3,579,350. Following public comment, the hearing was closed, and the Board approved the item.

Item No. 42 AM session:

The Board approved the deletion of 35 Kern County Public Health positions due to significant reduction in state and federal funding allocations and rising operational costs.

Item No. 45 AM session:

The Board approved the Kern County Sheriff’s Office request for authorization to apply for Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act Program funds from the United States Department of Justice from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027.

Item No. 46 AM session:

The Board approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Kern High School District Police Department for use of the Sheriff’s Property Room from July 29, 2025, through July 28, 2030, with a option to extend the term for three years through July 28, 2033.

Item No. 50 Closed Session:

The Board voted 5-0 to appoint Craig Murphy as interim Director of Planning and Natural Resources, effective August 23, 2025. Mr. Murphy will fill the role upon the retirement of the current Director, Lorelei Oviatt, on August 22, 2025.

Item No. 7 PM session:

The Board received and filed the Notice of Completion for Contract No. 25004 with J.L. Plank Inc., dba Cen-Cal Construction, for pedestrian path improvements on Mills Drive and Park Drive in Bakersfield.

Item No. 8 PM session:

The Board received and filed the Notice of Completion for Contract No. 25016 with Griffith Company for roadway resurfacing on various roads throughout Oildale area.

Item No. 14 PM session:

The Board approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the City of Bakersfield and Bakersfield-Kern Regional Homeless Collaborative for the Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention Program Round 6 Regionally Coordinated Action Plan from June 1, 2025, through October 1, 2029.

Item No. 15 PM session:

The Board approved a contribution to Phillip Campas Foundation in the amount of $500 to support veterans, law enforcement, first responders, active military and their families.

Item No. 16 PM session:

The Board approved a contribution to California Aeronautical University in the amount of $500 to support education and workforce development.

Item No. 17 PM session:

The Board a donation of school supplies to the Shafter Lions Club and Shafter Family Resource Center valued at $500 for their Stuff the Bus event; proposed contributions to Kiwanis Club of Delano and Wasco Recreation and Park District in the amount of $500 each to support community firework shows; and Casa Esperanza in the amount of $1,200 to support the Hearts of Hope fundraiser.

Item No. 18 PM session:

The Board approved a contribution to Kern County Bar Association Charitable Foundation in the amount of $2,000 for the Department of Child Support Services annual backpack giveaway.

The next Regular Board Meetings are scheduled for August 5, 2025, at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.