The Kern County Board of Supervisors met today as scheduled for Tuesday’s May 12, 2026, Board Meeting. Chairman Phillip Peters (District 1), Supervisor Chris Parlier (District 2), Supervisor Jeff Flores (District 3), Supervisor David Couch (District 4) were in attendance. Supervisor Leticia Perez (District 5) 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 Sheriff’s Sergeant Peter Martinez upon his retirement with 26 years of dedicated service to the County of Kern.
Item No. 2 AM session:
The Board proclaimed Thursday, May 14, 2026, a dedication ceremony honoring Legends of the Bakersfield Sound: Portraits in Black and White at Beale Memorial Library.
You can watch the presentation HERE.
Item No. 3 AM session:
The Board proclaimed May 11 - 16, 2026, as National Police Week and Thursday, May 14, 2026, as Peace Officers’ Memorial Day in Kern County.
You can watch the presentation HERE.
Item No. 4 AM session:
The Board proclaimed May 2026 as Water Conservation Month in Kern County.
You can watch the presentation HERE.
Item No. 21 AM session:
The Board approved the proposed 2026-2030 Kern County Strategic Plan and implementation of Elevate Kern, a performance improvement initiative.
You can watch the presentation HERE.
Item No. 28 AM session:
The Board did not approve a retroactive Occupancy Agreement with Bakersfield Recovery Services, Inc., to provide services to victims of crime within the Kern County Family Justice Center Facility from May 4, 2026 through March 31, 2028.
You can watch the presentation HERE.
Item No. 33 AM session:
The Board approved an Agreement with Garden Pathways, Inc., to provide comprehensive youth mentoring services from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, in an amount not to exceed $72,290.
Item No. 34 AM session:
The Board approved an Application for Use of Facility Agreement with the City of Shafter for the 2026 Shafter JobFest from May 20-21, 2026.
Item No. 36 AM session:
The Board approved a retroactive Agreement with California Department of Public Health (CDPH) for congenital syphilis prevention grant from March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027, in an amount not to exceed $140,000. This Agreement will provide funding to support activities aimed at preventing congenital syphilis, including expanded screenings and implementation and quality improvement initiatives.
Item No. 37 AM session:
The Board approved Public Health Services request to accept the Tuberculosis Local Assistance Award from California Department of Public Health (CDPH) for tuberculosis control activities from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, in the amount of $175,913.
Item No. 6 PM session:
A public hearing was held on a proposed increase in assessments within County Service Area No. 66, located in southeast Bakersfield for streetlight service charges for Fiscal Year 2026-2027. The Board adopted the Ordinance imposing the increased assessment.
You can watch the presentation HERE.
Item No. 8 PM session:
A public hearing was held for the County’s proposed purchase of a portion of real property at 1838 Renfro Road, from Munniji, LLC, in the amount of $529,909. This acquisition will provide the land necessary to construct a new segment of roadway to be known as a portion of Palm Avenue (Project). This new segment will connect Palm Avenue, between Renfro Road and Westdale Drive in Bakersfield. The Board adopted the Resolution and authorized the Chairman to sign the agreement.
Item No. 12 PM session:
The Board authorized the Public Works Department to publish a notice to bidders for road rehabilitation on College Avenue from Mount Vernon Avenue to Montello Street, Bakersfield on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.
Item No. 13 PM session:
The Board authorized the Public Works Department to publish a notice to bidders for road rehabilitation on College Avenue from Mount Vernon Avenue to Montello Street, Bakersfield on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.
Item No. 20 PM session:
The Board adopted a Resolution proclaiming a state of local emergency in Kern County due to the presence and threat of invasive golden mussels.
You can watch the presentation HERE.
Item No. 21 PM session:
The Board adopted a Resolution approving participation in the 2026-2027 California Arts Council State/Local Partnership Program designating the Arts Council of Kern as local partner.
Items No. 23-27 PM session:
The Board approved contributions to various community organizations, including South Valley, in the amount of $250, to support youth soccer programs; Bakersfield Firefighter Burn Foundation, in the amount of $1,500, to assist burn survivors and their families; The Wrestling Factory of Kern, in the amount of $500, to support youth wrestling programs; Keep Bakersfield Beautiful, in the amount of $1,500, to support community events; and Garden Pathways, in the amount of $500, to support mentorship programs.
Item No. 34 PM session:
The Board authorized General Services to publish a notice to contractors for the Potomac Park Revitalization project beginning on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.
You can watch the presentation HERE.
The next Regular Board Meetings are scheduled for May 19, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
