Accomplishments

IMPROVING PUBLIC SAFETY

  • Increased compensation for Sheriff Deputies and Detention Deputies to improve recruitment and retention efforts.
  • Restructured hiring bonuses for Sheriff Deputies leading to the successful lateral recruitment of over a dozen deputies.
  • Added 25 new detention deputy positions which will help the Sheriff move qualified deputies out to protect our communities.
  • Purchased a new helicopter for the Kern County Fire Department to enhance firefighting capabilities and search and rescue operations.
  • Launched Firefighter Paramedic safety squads and civilian paramedic medical units to help bring advanced lifesaving services to residents faster than ever before.
  • Increased firefighter pay and incentives to boost retention of experienced personnel and incentivize additional training in search and rescue and protection around Kern’s energy sector.
  • Supported and funded the District Attorney’s Justice for Kern Initiative which significantly expands their investigator workforce and ability to prosecute crimes.

KEEPING KERN A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE & WORK

  • So far the M Street Navigation Center and the Safe Camping Operation have moved over 500 individuals off the street and into shelter.
  • We are also preparing to open the new supportive services village in Oildale providing shelter and services for another 50-90 individuals.
  • Implemented an anti-camping ordinance and launched rapid response enforcement teams to respond to illegal encampments.
  • Launched mental health teams in partnership with law enforcement to respond to issues involving mental health emergencies and substance use issues.
  • New R.A.P.I.D. Program has cleaned up 337 dump sites in District One alone last year.
  • Throughout 2023, 1,068 tons or over 2.1 million pounds of trash were cleaned up off of roadways in Kern County, as well as 474 homeless encampments.
  • Additionally, through the County’s partnership with the Open Door Network, crews of workers that are experiencing homelessness picked up an additional 431 tons of trash off of Kern County roadways.
  • Filed a lawsuit against Governor Newsom to challenge his unconstitutional interference with our oil and gas industry.
  • Continued support of our agricultural as well as oil and gas sectors including progress on our EIR to restart oil and gas well permitting.
  • Becoming the hub for carbon management investment on the west coast, with multiple carbon capture sequestration projects under review, including the initial development of a carbon management park which will help attract new investment to Kern County.
  • Launched a building permit modernization project, including launching a customer survey program, an updated process for building permits, technology enhancements, and the establishment of acceptable timelines for all “by right” permits. This project will bring our
  • County one step closer to being the best place in the State of California for real estate investors to do business.
  • Established of the first Economic Development Division within the County to work directly on regional economic development efforts with entities such as B3K, KEDC, and the SBDC as well as to directly recruit new businesses to Kern County.
  • Worked with local, state, and federal officials including the Navy and Department of Defense to
    secure funding for a $211 million dollar water import project to for the Indian Wells Valley.
  • This will not only help to support the Navy mission at China Lake which is vital to our national security and warfighting capabilities, but will also satisfy the requirements of the Sustainable
    Groundwater Management Act, and prevent the State of California from coming in and taking control of our water basin, which will ensure that the Indian Wells Valley can shape its own
    future.

ENSURING GOOD STEWARDSHIP OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS

  • Resolved a year’s long structural deficit through economic development, lean six sigma
    efficiency enhancements, and cost reductions.
  • Balanced the Kern County Fire Fund including the full funding of all stations and firefighter
    positions.
  • Increased general fund fiscal reserves by 33% to protect against fiscal uncertainty.
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