The Kern County Board of Supervisors has maintained a policy of strict neutrality toward annexations. In 1996, this policy was formalized by a Board resolution.

The Board and its State-mandated affiliate, the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo), provide information to the public about the process as well as the fiscal and policy consequences of annexation in order to help residents potentially affected by an annexation decide whether to support or reject the annexation of their neighborhood.

View resolution establishing the neutrality policy. The resolution may also be obtained by contacting the County Administrative Office at 661-868-3198 or the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors at 661-868-3585. Fees for copying and/or mailing services may apply.

Yes. LAFCo's current policy is to send a USPS "mailed notice to all landowners and registered voters on public hearings for all [annexation] applications and on all protest hearings." Contact LAFCo at 661-716-1076 for further information. In addition, State law requires LAFCo to publish a notice in the newspaper and post a notice near the door of the room in which the first public hearing (the Notice of Application Hearing) and the later Protest Hearing will be held.

In February 2002, the Bakersfield City Council adopted resolution #029-02 which established a pre-application process to handle annexations prior to the involvement of LAFCo. The City resolved to:

• Send a letter with frequently asked questions and answers about annexation to all property owners/occupants regarding the proposed annexation and
• Hold at least one publicly noticed informational meeting at a public facility within the proposed annexation area.

Thus, while State law does not obligate the City to provide any notification about annexation proceedings to affected residents and property owners in the area, its current policy is to provide this information to them.

For the full text of the resolution or for further information, contact the City at 661-326-3767 or search online for "City of Bakersfield Annexation Resolution.

Property owners and/or registered voters within an inhabited territory proposed for annexation have the right to protest the annexation (see Q5 below). Property owners and voters who do not oppose the annexation are not required to take any action.

The protest of a proposed annexation is a legal procedure described in the Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Act. It must conform to specific requirements of the law as to form, wording, procedure for submission and the time frame within which it is submitted to LAFCo, the agency in Kern County that oversees annexations.

The annexation process officially begins after the Bakersfield City Council has passed a "Resolution of Application" to annex the area described in the resolution. The resolution and other documents are sent to LAFCo. After LAFCo's Executive Officer has determined that the application package for the annexation is complete, a Notice of Filing is issued and a date is set by LAFCo for the first of two public hearings.

The first public hearing is the Notice of Application hearing at which LAFCo Commissioners vote to determine if the annexation process should proceed. If they do not reject the proposal, it proceeds to the second public hearing, commonly referred to as the "protest hearing." This hearing may be continued for cause. Based on the number of written protests received at the protest hearing, the Commission makes a finding as to whether the annexation process continues, is subjected to voter approval, or is terminated. The Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Act specifies strict time frames, notification requirements and procedures that must be followed at each step in the process. For further information about legal procedures and time frames involved in the annexation process, view the "Citizen's Guide to Annexations by Cities". The Guide can also be obtained from the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors at 661-868-3585 or from the County Administrative Office at 661-868-3198. Fees for copying and/or mailing services may apply.

Your protest must be submitted in writing. While oral objections, even at the LAFCo protest hearing, are of interest to the Commissioners, they carry no legal weight. To file a legal protest:

• You must be a property owner or voter registered in the area proposed for annexation.
• You can file one protest as a voter and another as a property owner. If you own multiple properties in the area, you can file a separate protest for each property.
• Your written protest must be signed, dated and submitted to LAFCo, not to the City of Bakersfield, within a very specific and limited time frame: after the publication/posting of the notice of the protest hearing but before the conclusion of the protest hearing itself. LAFCo Commissioners may grant a continuance of the protest hearing for cause. Prior to the protest hearing, contact LAFCo at 661-716-1076 for guidance on submitting a request for continuance.
• If you submit your protest as a registered voter, you need to identify yourself as such and include the residence address at which you are registered.
  • The name you sign on the protest form should be exactly the same as your name on the voter registration rolls.
• If you are a property owner in the area and reside at the affected property, you need to identify yourself as such and include the address of the property.
  • It is recommended that you consult your property tax bill and include in your protest letter the assessor's parcel/tax number.

The outcome of the protest hearing on the proposed annexation of an inhabited are depends on the relative number of registered voters and/or owners of property in the area who submit protests in the legally binding and timely manner described in Question 5 above.

• If 50% or more of the voters on the official list of registered voters in the area submit valid protests, the annexation is summarily terminated.
• If at least 25%, but less than 50%, of the registered voters in the area submit valid protests, the annexation proposal will be determined by the outcome of an election.
• If at least 25% of the landowners who also own at least 25% of the assessed value of land within the affected territory submit valid protests, the annexation proposal will be determined by the outcome of an election.
• If valid protests are filed by fewer than 25% of the registered voters in the area OR by fewer than 25% of the landowners who also own less than 25% of the assessed value of the property in the area, the annexation moves forward without further action by voters or property owners.
• The results of the election are determined by the number of registered voters in the affected area who cast ballots on the matter. If the majority of the votes cast are against the annexation proposal, it is terminated.

Report the injury to your supervisor immediately, and obtain prompt medical care.

Yes, your Supervisor will continue to represent you after annexation. The County provides and funds many services to all residents of Kern County, including residents of the City of Bakersfield. To find out who your County Supervisor is, call the Clerk of the Board at 661-868-3585 or visit the Find Your County Supervisor application.

If you are annexed, the Bakersfield City Council member for your ward will represent you only in matters that affect the residents of the incorporated area. Many of the services that the City provides are also provided in unincorporated areas. With annexation, you do not lose these services; they are simply administered by a different elected governmental body.

To find out who your City Council member would be if you are annexed, call the City Clerk at 661-326-3767 or go to http://www.bakersfieldcity.us/ and click on "Mayor & City Council" in the "City Government" drop-down menu.

All Poll Sites are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.

Perhaps. Under California law, your property cannot be taxed at more than 1% of its assessed value. However, because many other charges appear on your tax bill, your total bill may be higher or lower than what it is in the unincorporated area.

After annexation, you will pay a 1% monthly surcharge on your PG&E utility bill. This fee is not imposed in unincorporated areas. You may also incur additional charges, such as annual home alarm permit and registration fees and penalty charges for false alarms, that are billed separately and that you would not incur in an unincorporated area.

Special assessments apply in both the City and the County. Current assessments, many to pay off bonds issued through the years by entities such as school districts, the Kern Community College District, North of the River Recreation and Park District, Kern Mosquito and Vector Control, and the Kern County Water Agency, will remain the same after annexation. However, depending upon your property's location, special assessments for some services may continue or may be removed from your property tax bill.

Yes. When an unincorporated area is annexed to the City of Bakersfield, the County transfers 37.5% of its General Fund property tax revenue from that unincorporated area to the City in order to finance the cost of services that will now be provided by the City. The County retains 62.5% of your property taxes to pay for services such as libraries, public health, human services, property assessment and tax collection that are provided to all residents of Kern County in both unincorporated and incorporated areas.

The City of Bakersfield and the County of Kern have a Joint Powers Agreement covering fire protection and other specified emergency services that are provided by both the County and City Fire Departments. Property taxes collected to fund these activities go to the jurisdiction that is the "first responder" to these emergencies. If the fire station closest to you is maintained by the County, your taxes for fire protection are already allocated to the County and will be retained by the County. If the fire station closest to you is maintained by the City, a portion of your property taxes has been going to the City for this service and will continue to do so upon annexation.

Information on your voter registration affidavit will be used by election officials to send you official information on the voting process, including the location of your polling place and the issues and candidates that will appear on the ballot. Commercial use of voter registration information is prohibited by law and is a misdemeanor.

Voter information may be provided to a candidate for office; a ballot measure committee; or other persons for election, scholarly, journalistic, political, or government purposes, as determined by the State. Driver's license and social security numbers, or your signature as shown on your voter registration card, cannot be released for these purposes.

If you have questions about the use of voter information or want to report suspected misuse of such information, call the Secretary of State's Voter Protection and Assistance Hotline at: 1-800-452-VOTE (8683).

You can check your registration status by calling our office.

Kern County Elections Division
(661) 868-3590 or
1-800-452-VOTE (8683)

You have to update your registration if:

• You change your name (marriage; divorce; adoption, etc.).
• Change your address.
• Change your political party.

Check or update your registration.

Perhaps. While the City has its own trash collection trucks, it also contracts with franchised trash haulers, as does the County. If you are annexed to the City, your trash collection might be serviced by the same trash hauler that previously serviced your neighborhood, or a City of Bakersfield truck might do the collection.

Yes. View more information on voting rights as a person with a criminal history.

See the employee injury section.

Perhaps. All property owners in the Greater Bakersfield Metropolitan Area, whether in unincorporated territory or the City, have two separate charges on their property tax bill for trash services. One is for trash collection. Property owners in the County have a "Central Refuse" charge on their tax bills. For property owners in the City, the charge is listed as "Bkfld-Garbage Chg." The governing bodies of each jurisdiction (the Board of Supervisors for the County, the City Council for the City) set the trash collection fee for everyone within their respective jurisdictions regardless of who the actual hauler is. While these fees are similar, the charge on your property tax bill could be higher or lower if you live within the City than it is in the unincorporated territory.

The City of Bakersfield offers a 50% rebate of garbage collection fees to people who provide verification that they are at least 65 years old, are not delinquent on their property taxes and who are owner/occupants of the address at which the trash is collected.

The second charge on your property tax bill is a solid waste disposal fee listed as "KCSWMP Land Use." This fee is for the County operated landfill, where solid waste from both unincorporated areas and the City is disposed. This fee is the same for residents of both the unincorporated areas and the City, and will remain on your property tax bill after annexation.

View information on how to remove yourself from the voter roll. 

How to remove a family member from the voting roll.

All medical treatment that is beyond First Aid or Emergency care must be authorized by:

Workers Compensation Services
County of Kern
1115 Truxtun Avenue, 4th Floor
Bakersfield, CA 93301
(661) 868-3801

No one else may authorize such medical care.

No. After annexation, the CSA charge on your property tax bill will be replaced by a City street landscape maintenance charge. This charge will vary depending on where you live.

If you are under 18 you can Pre-register. In order to pre-register you must be 16 or 17 years old and meet all other registration requirements. You will automatically be registered to vote on your 18th birthday when you pre-register.

Your supervisor can make an initial referral for:

• First Aid treatment,
• Emergency care,
• Or, to the County Occupational medical providers.

No. Many unincorporated neighborhoods have street sweeping services that are paid for through a County Service Area (CSA) assessment that appears on the property tax bills. In County areas in which this is not provided, a majority of property owners can form a County Service Area for street sweeping. CSAs can also be formed to obtain other amenities like street lighting and landscape maintenance. For more information, contact the Kern County Public Works Department. The City does not charge separately for street sweeping, but will include it in the bundled Bakersfield Garbage charge on your property tax bill if you are annexed.

A Medical Provider Network (MPN) is a group of health care providers (physicians and other types of providers) set up by an insurer or self-insured employer and approved by the Division of Workers’ Compensation’s Administrative Director to treat workers injured on the job. Each MPN must include a mix of doctors specializing in work-related injuries and doctors with expertise in general areas of medicine. MPN’s must meet access to care standards for common occupational injuries and work-related illnesses. Further, the regulations require MPN providers to use medical treatment guidelines adopted by the Department of Workers’ Compensation.

MPN’s must allow employees a choice of provider(s) in the network after the employee’s first visit.

Ask your supervisor or your department's payroll clerk.

Report your work-related injury or illness to your supervisor immediately. Please see the Employee injury section.

The Employer’s Report is required by the state. It begins the Workers’ Compensation claim process, which provides the employee’s medical coverage as well as temporary or permanent disability benefit payments. Remember, it is your responsibility as a supervisor to complete and give or send the Employee’s Claim for Workers’ Compensation Benefits Form (DWC-1) (PDF), to the injured employee within one working day of your knowledge of the injury. Completing the form is not an admission of liability.

You can elect to use Sick Leave. You do this by completing the Workers' Compensation Leave Option Form that you received from your department. You may not use Vacation Leave while receiving Temporary Disability.

If you filled out the Employee Pre-Designation Form before the injury happened, you can go to your personal physician immediately after the injury. If you did not fill out the Pre-Designation Form before the injury happened, you can begin treating with your personal physician thirty (30) days after the date on which you reported the injury to your supervisor. For more detailed information see the Workers' Compensation brochure:

• Injured Worker Brochure (PDF)
• Injured Worker Brochure (Spanish) (PDF)

If you do not want to belong to any political party, mark 'no party preference'. If you want to belong to a party that is not on the list, mark 'Other' and print the name of the qualified political party of your choice on the blank line.

Call the Health Benefits Office at (661) 868-3182.

California State Senate bill 899 that became law in 2004 provides that employers may establish an MPN as an integral part of the workers' compensation cost reduction program.

The Employee’s Claim form is required by law for any occupational injury occurring on or after January 1, 1990. The form must be provided to the injured employee within one working day of injury notification. The returned (completed) form guarantees the employee certain legal rights in the Workers’ Compensation process and provides for the release of medical records to assist eligibility determination.

Perhaps. If your property is already connected to a sewer line, the County Service Area (CSA) or Kern Sanitation Authority (KSA) charges on your property tax bill for sewer service will be replaced by City charges which may be slightly higher or lower than the CSA or KSA charges. Some Sanitary Sewer District customers will continue to pay District charges following annexation to the City.

In many cases, no. If you live outside the City limits but

• within County Service Area 71

• within the Kern Sanitation Authority (KSA) boundaries north of Highway 58

• within 200' of an active sewer system which belongs to either the City of Bakersfield Sanitary District or the North of the River Sanitary District

you may connect to that sewer system. In order to connect you must pay the mandatory initial fees to the City or District, abandon your septic system, and connect a line from your property to the sewer system. This can cost several thousand dollars.

Property owners within the unincorporated territory of CSA 71 who do not have ready access to a City or NOR sewer system can vote to establish a County Service Area (CSA) and incur the cost of a new sewer system to connect to the nearest working system. This requires approval of the majority (50% + 1) of the voters in the proposed service area. If approved, each property tax bill will then reflect a separate and additional assessment for that owner's share of the cost to build and maintain the sewer system. This can cost several thousand dollars. However, each property owner can then decide whether or not to incur the additional costs required to connect the property to the new sewer system. Some moderate and low income neighborhoods may qualify for Federal grants to help them afford to install sewers.

More information about converting from a septic system to a sewer system can be obtained by visiting the Kern County Public Works Department website or by calling the Department at 661-862-5000.

Because Temporary Disability is partially replacing your lost wages, you do not need to use as much Sick Leave as you usually would.

The general process is as follows:

Note: Notification will be by e-mail or postal mail, depending on which option the applicant chose when they submitted their application.

1. Human Resources will review all of the applications that have been received for this job opening.
2. Human Resources will notify those who didn't qualify for the job based on their applications. If applicants are evaluated solely on their application materials, Human Resources will also notify those who did qualify for the job.
3. If the job requires any of the following:
   
   • Written exam
   • Oral exam
   • Agility exam
   • Performance exam

   Human Resources will conduct each one individually and not necessarily in the above order. For each exam, Human Resources will:

   1. Notify qualified applicants providing the exam date/time and location
   2. Conduct the exam
   3. Compile the exam results and notify those who did not pass the exam. Note: applicants who failed to attend the exam will not be notified.
4. After all exams are completed, Human Resources will
   
   1. Compile an "eligible list" which contains the names of all of the applicants who qualified for the job. The names are ranked by their combined scores on all exams.
   2. Notify all applicants who took the last exam and let them know if they are on the eligible list and what their final score was.
5. When a department has an opening, they will ask Human Resources for a list of the top applicants on the eligible list for that job and will then contact those applicants directly.

The Employer’s Report of Occupational Injury or Illness form must be sent to the Benefit Services Offices whether or not you have all the information requested on the form. Delaying the form seriously jeopardizes the employee’s disability payments or medical care, as well as the claims and accident investigations. When describing the injury or accident, you may leave lines 15-18 blank if no information is available at the time.

The MPN consists of providers that are familiar with and that practice industrial medicine in the workers' compensation arena.

You can print the Employee Pre-Designation Form from this website. Or, you can call Workers' Compensation Services, and we will send you one. Send the completed form to your payroll/personnel department and Workers' Compensation Services.

Workers' Compensation Services is part of the County of Kern's Office of the County Counsel.. They are responsible for administering the workers' compensation claims programs, deciding which benefits are due, and paying them.

A No Party Preference (NPP) ballot contains only the names of candidates for voter-nominated offices and local nonpartisan offices and measures. For a presidential election, NPP voters will receive a 'non-partisan' ballot that does not include presidential candidates. You can request a ballot for ONE of the parties who allow NPP voters to request their party's presidential ballot.

There are several programs that can assist those with low incomes and limited resources. KCEOC's HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) is available to those whose energy bills are at least 5% of their total monthly income. Applications can be obtained by calling (661) 336-5203.

PG&E and Southern California Edison administer the CARE (California Alternate Rates) Program, providing a 20% discount on utilities to income qualified households. For information call PG&E at 1 (800) 743-5000 or Southern California Edison at 1 (800) 447-6620, or visit their websites at:

• Pacific Gas and Electric
• Southern California Edison

Local charitable organizations that might also be able to help:

• Catholic Social Services: (661) 281-2151
• Salvation Army/REACH: (661) 837-4243

Yes. Within the first 30 days you have the right to one change of physician. For more detailed information, see the Workers' Compensation brochure:

• Injured Worker Brochure (PDF)
• Injured Worker Brochure (Spanish) (PDF)

The County has identified the following person / department to be the MPN contact for all employees:

Lisa Dearmore, Claims Manager
Workers' Compensation Services
County of Kern
1115 Truxtun Ave., 4th Floor
Bakersfield, CA 93301
1-855-372-5390
ldearmore@goudounet.com

These people or any workers’ compensation claims adjuster will be able to answer your questions about the County of Kern MPN and tell you how to receive or access the names of the doctors in the MPN. A list of MPN providers is available at the MPN webpage.

Workers Compensation Services
County of Kern
1115 Truxtun Avenue, 4th Floor
Bakersfield, CA 93301
(661) 868-3801

Employees should inform their own supervisors of the injury so that the supervisor can complete the Employer’s Report of Occupational Injury or Illness and provide the Employee’s Claim for Workers’ Compensation Benefits form to the injured employee.

Not at this time. Neither the County nor the City can require you to have sewer service if you are using a properly operating septic system. However, if your septic system violates State and/or local health and building codes, both County and City ordinances require most homeowners to connect to a sewer system if one is available within 200 feet of the property. The City may allow an exception to this rule if a homeowner repairs or installs a properly operating septic system that has first received the approval, by permit, of the County Environmental Health Services Department and has then obtained another permit from the City of Bakersfield's Building Division at 661-326-3720.

Personnel Policies. Please see chapter 18 of the Workers' Compensation.

It is not the responsibility of the Department’s employees to unload waste from your vehicle. This includes all forms of waste and recyclables.

Therefore, if you needed assistance loading your waste, you should take someone with you to assist with unloading your waste.

BY law we are required to give voter information to candidates, ballot measure committees, other persons for election, scholarly, journalistic, political, or governmental purpose. Items that remain confidential and are never provided to anyone are your social security number, your driver's license number, and your signature.

If you have any questions about the use of voter information or wish to report suspected misuse of such information, please call the Secretary of State's Voter Protection and Assistance Hotline at: 1 (800) 345-VOTE (8683).

You may use any provider that is a member of the MPN.

No. In January of 2002 the Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) became a separate department, and is no longer part of the District Attorney Office. The main office is located at:

1300 18th Street
Bakersfield, California 93301
(661) 868-6500

DCSS also maintains an office at:

400 North China Lake Blvd.
Ridgecrest, California 93555

Options are:

• (preferred method) Complete the online reservation request form
• Visit the Parks Division: 1115 Truxtun Ave., 3rd Floor, Bakersfield, CA
• Call (661) 868-7000

• If your claim is ACCEPTED by Workers' Compensation Services, Workers' Compensation Services will send you a disability (TD) check every two weeks.
• You can use your Sick Leave. If your Sick Leave runs out, and you are still disabled, you will continue to receive your TD checks. You should also contact the Payroll Office to make arrangements to pay the premiums for your health benefits insurance.
• If your claim is DELAYED by Workers' Compensation Services and if eligible, file for SDI and seek medical treatment with your personal physician.
• If your claim is DENIED by Workers' Compensation Services: Call (661) 868-3801.

Complete the Unsigned Ballot Envelope Statement which is available 60 days before an election to make sure your ballot gets counted.

It is the employee’s right not to file. State law requires, however, that the Employer’s Report of Occupational Injury or Illness form be completed by the employer any time an occupational injury is reported. To aid in the claims process, attach a statement indicating the employee does not wish to pursue the claim at this time.

Workers Compensation Services
County of Kern
1115 Truxtun Avenue, 4th Floor
Bakersfield, CA 93301
(661) 868-3801

State Law prohibits salvaging at any Disposal Facility. Safety is a number one priority for the Department and it is not safe to dig through the trash.

Yes. If you decide to connect to a sewer system, you must pay connection and permit fees for all necessary work, a sewage treatment fee for the first year, as well as the contractor costs to abandon the septic treatment system and connect the property to the sewer system. Conversion can cost several thousand dollars per residence.

The City's sewer installation requirements vary depending upon a neighborhood's location. To determine availability or the specific sewer requirements for a particular area, contact the Wastewater Division of the Bakersfield Public Works Department at 661-326-3249 or visit the Bakersfield Web site.

Pre-designation is still allowed. The pre-designated physician must be a M.D. or a D.O. who has previously treated you, is your primary treating physician under the County’s health plan, has your medical record on file and agrees to treat and report according to the regulations of the California Labor Code as set forth under Title 8 CCR § 9785.

Yes. The governmental jurisdiction in which the sale takes place is the recipient of sales tax revenue. Upon annexation, a store or gas station in an unincorporated area of the County will have its tax revenue allocated to the City rather than to the County, unless the City and County enter an agreement that states otherwise. Where you shop, rather than where you live, determines who gets your sales and gasoline tax money. Annexation does not affect the amount of sales and gasoline taxes that you pay.

You may send an e-mail to

da@kernda.org

or write a letter to:

Cynthia Zimmer, District Attorney
1215 Truxtun Avenue
Bakersfield, California 93301

You may be entitled to Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) payments from Workers' Compensation Services. If so, this will pay a portion of your wage-loss while working on a part-time schedule:

• The County will pay you for the time you work.
• If eligible, Workers' Compensation Services will pay you TPD benefits.
• Sick Leave. If SL is used, the TPD benefit must be returned to the Auditor - Controller's office.

If you received a Signature Verification Statement it means that when we tried to verify the signature on your ballot return envelope, it did not match the signature on your voter registration. You must complete and return the Signature Verification Statement by the deadline specified for us to count your ballot.

Yes, you must give or mail the claim form to the employee’s home address within one working day of the date you’ve been notified of the injury.

Kern County operates seven active landfills and nine transfer stations throughout the County. Check out the Disposal Sites area of the website for information on the Disposal Facility nearest you.

Workers Compensation Services
County of Kern
1115 Truxtun Avenue, 4th Floor
Bakersfield, CA 93301
(661) 868-3801

Non-residential waste received at or transferred to a Kern County Public Works owned and operated facilities will be assessed at the gate fees mentioned below.

The basic per ton gate fee for trailers, large vehicles, and roll-offs of non-residential solid waste, excluding wastes for which a special rate or charge is included, will be $61.79 per ton. Cars will be charged $12.78 per vehicle. Pickup trucks will be charged $28.77 per vehicle. Pickup trucks loaded above cab will be charged $36.22 per vehicle.

The gate fee for construction and demolition (C&D) mixed loads waste will be $85.23 per ton.

Since transfer stations require additional handling and transportation of the waste to either a disposal facility or recycling center, the per ton gate fee for non-residential solid waste received at any transfer station will include an additional $10.65 per ton transfer fee for a total rate of $72.44 per ton.

The gate fee for solid waste brought to a Kern County waste facility from outside of Kern County, excluding wastes for which a special rate or charge may apply, is $95.89 per ton. A transfer fee of $10.65 per ton will apply if brought to a transfer station.

A crime should be reported to the law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction over the community where the crime was committed.

You fill out your timesheet as you normally would, using hours of Sick Leave for your lost time. Each month, your department's Payroll Processor will reconcile your timesheet, based on any workers' compensation payments made by Workers' Compensation Services.

• If your claim has been accepted by Workers' Compensation Services, and you elected to use accrued Sick Leave, you must return your TD check to Auditor - Controller's office.
• If your claim has been delayed by Workers' Compensation Services, you are not automatically permitted to use your Vacation Leave. You must obtain the approval of your department.
• If your claim has been denied by Workers' Compensation Services, follow your departments usual procedures.

If your ballot was mismarked, lost or damaged, you can request a replacement ballot. Replacement ballots are available 29 days before an election. (For Military & Overseas Voters replacement ballots are available 45 days before an election.)

You should select the physician that has regularly treated you and that has your medical records. You may not pre-designate a chiropractor or acupuncturist.

A supplemental tax bill is generated whenever a property is reassessed due to a change in ownership, or the completion of new construction. The supplemental tax bill (or refund) reflects any increase (or decrease) in property assessment resulting from the supplemental event.

The Kern County Treasurer-Tax Collector has developed an online Supplemental tax bill estimator.

Construction or demolition waste is non-hazardous building material or debris such as: asphalt, concrete, brick, drywall, fencing, metal, packing materials, pallets, pipe or wood resulting from construction, remodeling, repair or demolition of a property.

The County operates several Disposal Facilities where C&D may be disposed or recycled. Other recycling facilities in Kern County, that accept C&D, are listed in the Kern County Recycling Guide.

There are Disposal Fees associated with the disposal or recycling of C&D from both residential and commercial sources. Discounts may be available for source separated materials. Discounts will be determined at the gate following an inspection of the load. Check out the Disposal Sites page for site specific fees schedules.

You can administer first aid if you have a first aid kit or send the employee to an occupational health facility designated by the County of Kern for medical attention.

COVID-19 Testing Sites in Kern County

Workers Compensation Services
County of Kern
1115 Truxtun Avenue, 4th Floor
Bakersfield, CA 93301
(661) 868-3801

Yes. The Bakersfield Police Department (BPD) will provide law enforcement services after annexation. Otherwise, the Kern County Sheriff's Department (KCSD) will continue to provide protection. Both agencies provide comparable levels of service. Law enforcement response times vary by neighborhood, the proximity of the responder, and the nature of the call. KCSD and BPD both dispatch at least two officers to priority 1 (life-threatening) calls.

No. For personal health care problems, the employee should seek his/her own health care provider. The designated occupational health facilities are only available to employees with work-related injuries.

You fill out your timesheet as you normally would, using hours of Sick Leave for your lost time. Each month, your department's Payroll Processor will reconcile your timesheet, based on any workers' compensation payments made by Workers' Compensation Services.

• If your claim has been delayed by Workers' Compensation Services, you are not automatically permitted to use your Vacation Leave. You must obtain the approval of your department.
• If your claim has been denied by Workers' Compensation Services, follow your departments usual procedures.

Meals on Wheels is part of the senior nutrition program. Home delivered meals are available to seniors age 60 and older who are home-bound and unable to get out to one of the senior nutrition sites in their area for lunch. A doctor's prescription is required. Call us for the number of the home delivered meals provider nearest you; or we can make the referral for you, if you wish. More information.

The senior nutrition program in Kern County includes congregate dining for senior citizens age 60 and above. As part of the congregate dining program, a nutritious lunch is served Monday through Friday at senior nutrition sites in many areas of the County. Call us for the number of the senior nutrition site near you. List of Senior Nutrition Sites.

The Grand Jury is a separate governmental entity from the District Attorney. Contact the Grand Jury.

The Hall of Records is located on the northwest corner of the intersection of Truxtun and Chester Avenues in downtown Bakersfield. The Recorder Annex is located directly adjacent at 1530 Truxtun Avenue. From Highway 99, go east on California Avenue. Turn north on Chester Avenue and go one block to Truxtun Avenue. From Highway 58, go north on Chester Avenue to Truxtun Avenue. View Map

You must wait at least one week between tests. For instance, if you do a test on a Thursday the earliest you could do the next test would be the following Thursday.

The gate fee for construction and demolition waste will be $85.23 per ton. Items that would be charged as construction & demolition waste (C&D) include, but are not limited to, loads partially or entirely consisting of asphalt, brick, concrete, dirt, drywall, roofing material, fencing, metal, packing material, pallets, plastics, piping, carpet, and wood. This is not an exhaustive list of C&D wastes.

Recycling of C&D waste is required under the existing CALGreen building standards code and state regulations. Construction projects shall adhere to their approved Construction Waste Management Plan requiring the diversion of a minimum of 65% of waste generated. Kern County Public Works encourages all C&D construction contractors to source separate construction materials during the construction project and may also consider other options for recycling such as existing C&D waste recovery facilities in Kern County. More information for can be found in our Recycling Portal.

Contact our office at (661) 868-3590 and we can send a new envelope to you. You can also contact our office by email at elections@goudounet.com.

Residential Waste is ordinary household trash and yard waste from residential properties. Most residential waste can be disposed of without charge at the Disposal Site due to the fact that a Disposal Fee has already been collected through the Land Use Fee on residential property tax bills.

Examples of non-chargeable residential waste include: appliances, clothing, furniture, green waste, manure, mattresses and ordinary household trash. Tires, dead animals, construction, demolition and remodeling materials are charged at the Gate Fee Rate.

Note: Fees are site specific. Information on fees charged at each disposal site can be obtained by visiting the Disposal Sites page.

If you have a pre-designated doctor, that doctor will provide the initial treatment for any industrial injury or illness.

If your Notice of Supplemental Assessment indicates a net increase and the resulting bill exceeds $4.50, a Supplemental Tax Bill will be issued by the Treasurer-Tax Collector. Supplemental Bills are issued 45 days after the Notice of Supplemental Assessment is mailed.

If you want to find out the approximate amount of a supplemental tax bill before you get it, the Kern County Treasurer-Tax Collector has developed an online Supplemental
tax bill estimator.

Workers Compensation Services
County of Kern
1115 Truxtun Avenue, 4th Floor
Bakersfield, CA 93301
(661) 868-3801

No. The "Joint Powers" agreement between the County and the City requires the closest fire station within the Metropolitan Bakersfield area to respond to the call, whether it occurs in the City or the County and regardless of which jurisdiction maintains and staffs the station. Each agency provides comparable services.

Yes, but final costs are similar. The County's building permit fee for a typical residence within the Metropolitan Bakersfield area is somewhat higher than the City's fee; however, the County does not charge a fee for a zoning check while the City does. City fees for remodeling/renovation, additions and separate residences are slightly lower than County fees. If you are in the middle of a building project when your property is annexed, the County will continue to inspect the work if the project is near completion.

Yes. Temporary Disability is usually not paid for the first three days of disability. Ordinance days will be authorized for the last three days of disability. Your department will pay you for those days upon receipt of the ordinance days authorization.

No. However, forms are available free online or at stationery or office supply stores.

No. If you believe that an attorney has committed a crime, you should contact the appropriate law enforcement agency. If you believe an attorney has engaged in unethical conduct, you should contact the State Bar of California.

Talk to your department HR/payroll person

After the first visit, you may continue to be treated by this doctor, or you may choose another doctor from the County of Kern MPN. You may continue to choose doctors within the MPN for all your medical care for this injury. If appropriate, you may choose a specialist or ask your treating doctor for a referral to a specialist. If you need help in choosing a doctor or have trouble getting an appointment with a doctor within the MPN, you may call or e-mail the MPN Contact listed above.

When we receive your ballot, your signature on the return envelope will be compared to the signature on your voter registration card to make sure it matches and that you are the authorized voter. Your ballot will then be separated from the envelope to protect and maintain its secrecy.

Effective July 1, 2022, at Kern County Public Works operated or approved green waste recycling facilities, any and all loads of non-residential green waste shall be charged at the rate of $61.79 per ton or at the vehicle type rates presented in the ordinance. Gate fees will be administered at the time of delivery at the gatehouse of each facility.

Beginning January 1, 2022, a commercial self-hauler of organic wastes (such as yard trimmings, grass clippings, brush, leaves, and similar items) are required by state law, specifically Senate Bill 1383, to keep their organics loads free of contamination and are required to send organics collected during the course of conducting their business for recycling, such as a drop-off location at a County operated facility. In addition, as a self-hauler you are required to maintain documentation and records per Senate Bill 1383 that demonstrate you have delivered your organic wastes to a recycling facility.

We encourage your business to establish a gate fee account with Kern County Public Works, which will make your trip to the landfill or transfer station easy, fast, and simple. Complete and submit the Gate Fee Account paperwork today. Payments options at Kern County Public Works facilities include gate fee accounts, check, Visa, Mastercard, or cash.

Ask the employee what happened. If the employee states that the back problems are work-related, give or mail the Employee’s Claim form to the employee. You must also complete the Employer’s Report of Occupational Injury or Illness form. Medical examinations and claims investigation will determine the nature and extent of the employee’s injury.

Most Kern County facilities accept cash, check, VISA or Mastercard, or you can open up a Gate Fee Account. Fill out the Gate Fee Account Application online form or submit the paper application to open a Disposal Site Account.

See the specific facility on the Disposal Sites page for payment options.

Kern County TV is Kern County's local government cable television station. Geographically, Kern County TV is the largest government station, covering over 8,000 square miles.

Its goals are to:

• Foster transparency in government
• Expand citizen awareness of government and the decision-making process
• Provide programming of interest and educational value
• Encourage participation in government services and activities
• Provide complete and unedited coverage of government proceedings by broadcasting local government meetings
• Provide County departments with the means to promote their services to the public

If your doctor's office asks you for the name and address of your employer's workers' compensation "carrier", and for your employer's "policy number", give them the following information:

Workers Compensation Services
County of Kern
1115 Truxtun Avenue, 4th Floor
Bakersfield, CA 93301
(661) 868-3801

Since the County is self-insured there is no policy number.

Call Workers' Compensation Services at (661) 868-3801.

Ballots and return envelopes will be sent to Military and Overseas Voters between 60 and 45 days before an election.

No. Both the County and City require a minimum 60-inch high fence as well as inspection of in-ground steel and gunite pools. In both jurisdictions, inspection of the completed pool is required.

No, although we strongly recommend that you seek legal advice before recording any document affecting title to property.

No. The conduct of a police officer in the performance of his or her duties is a personnel matter to be investigated by the law enforcement agency that employs the officer.

1. The veteran status verification form can be obtained by mail by calling your local CVSO at (661) 868-7300, or in person at the County Veterans Service Office, located at 1120 Golder State Ave, Bakersfield CA 93301. Verification of honorable service will be verified at that time.

2. Visit any DMV field office that processes DL/ID cards. To find locations, check the DMV website or call 800-777-0133.

3. Once at the office:
   1. Complete a Driver License or Identification Card Application (DL 44) or Commercial Driver License Application (DL 44C) form. Indicate on the application form that you wish to have the Veteran designation printed on the DL/ID card.
   2. Give the DMV clerk the following:
      • the completed application
      • the verification form
      • any application fees (The veterans designation does require an additional $5 fee.)

Kern County TV has been operating as a public service television station since May 1997.

No, the amount paid is always eight hours of paid time off regardless of the number of tests done.

Each Disposal Site has unique hours of operation. Check out the Disposal Sites page to find the days and hours of operation at each facility.

The State Franchise Tax Board offers a rebate program for disabled or blind adults, and seniors 62 or older. Both Homeowners and Renters can apply for the annual rebates. The program does have an annual income limit to qualify, which changes annually. The program runs from July 1 through October 31 each year, although claims may be filed through June 30 of the following year. Our office can assist with preparing the forms, if assistance is needed.

To have the current year's forms mailed to you, or for additional information, you may call the Franchise Tax Board at: 1 (800) 852-5711. You can also access the Franchise Tax Board's website to order forms or file your claim online.

The State of California has mandated each jurisdiction (in this case the County of Kern) to enforce the requirements of Senate Bill 1383. Entities that do not comply with Senate Bill 1383 requirements will be issued fines for non-compliance.

If you are temporarily working outside the County of Kern MPN service area, you may be treated by any Hospital Emergency Room or Urgent Care Facility on an emergency basis. If you are in a situation where a particular specialist is not available in your area, please contact the MPN Contact. You may have a right to see a specialist outside of the MPN in this case.

The sale or transfer of a full or partial interest in property, including a transfer consequent to the death of a property owner, may result in a reassessment and the issuance of a supplemental bill.

Certain forms of property transfer are not subject to reassessment. Exceptions include:

• Interspousal transfer
• Transfer between registered domestic partners
• Addition of joint tenants
• Transfer of property between parents and their children or from grandparents to their grandchildren (Fiscal limits may apply, and an application for exclusion must be filed with the assessor).

For further information, please contact the Assessor's Office Title Department at (661) 868-3300, or view the exclusion forms.

Lake Ming - Only from the shoreline. You can fish from the entire shoreline from October 1 through March 31. From April 1 through April 30, you can fish from the undeveloped lakeshore areas. Contact the Department of Fish and Game regarding when it stocks the lake with fish at (559) 243-4005.

Buena Vista Aquatic Recreation Area - In November through March we stock Lake Evans with trout and charge $6.00 for adults and $1.00 for children to fish. You can fish year-round at Lake Webb, the other lake in the Buena Vista Aquatic Recreation Area.

Lake Isabella

You can also fish in the following streams and river:

• Lumreau Creek
• Bear Creek
• Cedar Creek
• McFarland Creek
• Peel Creek
• Basin Creek
• Kern River
• Mull Creek
• Poso Creek
• Alder Creek
• Sandy Creek
• Little Creek
• Caliente Creek

You can purchase a fishing license from most sporting goods stores and Walmart.

• City of Bakersfield
• Kern Federal Credit Union (as needed)
• Family Justice Center (Wednesdays only)
• Traffic Court
• Behavioral Health and Recovery
• Veterans Services
• Public Works Department
• SEIU (Tuesdays and Thursdays only)
• Beale Library
• Child Support Services
• Kern Council of Government (Tuesday and Thursdays only)
• Fleet Services
• Law Library
• Sheriff Civil
• Aging and Adult Services
• Animal Services
• Fire Department
• Sheriff Department
• Airport (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)
• ETR Oildale
• Information Technology Services
• Communications
• Coroner
• Department of Human Services
• Employers Training Resource
• Agriculture, Weights and Measures
• Farm/Home
• Probation
• Public Health
• California Children Services
• Recorder's Office
• Public Defender
• Clerk of the Board
• County Administrative Office
• County Counsel/Risk Management
• General Services
• Assessor
• Treasurer Tax Collector
• Auditor
• Personnel
• County Clerk
• Election
• Kern Health Legacy
• Health Benefits
• Kern Medical

The County of Kern's Workers' Compensation Services decides whether you are eligible for workers' compensation benefits. Workers' Compensation Services can be reached at:

Workers Compensation Services
County of Kern
1115 Truxtun Avenue, 4th Floor
Bakersfield, CA 93301
(661) 868-3801

Additional Workers' Compensation Contacts

The type and amount of benefits are established by law. Workers' Compensation Services, the County of Kern's claims administrator, determines whether the injury is work-related or not, after talking with the employee and supervisor, reviewing the medical reports, and sometimes requiring additional medical evaluations.

Your Sick Leave is reimbursed for the first three days of disability.

The County is not a referee for tenant-landlord disputes. Generally, these disputes are best resolved between the renter and property owner. The General Rule for maintenance of rented properties as presented by the State of California Department of Consumer Affairs is: “When a landlord rents an apartment or a house to a tenant (renter), the rented property must be fit to live in. In other words, the rented property must be “habitable.” During the time that the property is being rented, the landlord must do maintenance work and make repairs which are necessary to keep it habitable. However, the landlord is not responsible to the tenant for repairing damage caused by the tenant, or the tenant’s guest, children or pets.”

For information about your rights and suggestions on ways to resolve housing complaints between tenants and landlords, the State of California Department of Consumer Affairs, 400 R Street, Suite 3090 Sacramento CA 95814-6200 (800) 952-5210 has published several guidelines: LT-3, LT-6 and LT-8 or additional assistance may be available through the Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance Center, 615 California Avenue, Bakersfield, CA (661) 325-5943.

If you believe that you are being discriminated against, you can contact the Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance Center at the above location or the Kern County Department of Housing, in the Community Development Program Department at (661) 862-5050 at 2700 M Street, Suite 250, Bakersfield, CA 93301. You can also e-mail them at kerncd@goudounet.com

If you have contacted your landlord and they are unwilling to make the property habitable, within the limits of their responsibility, you can submit a complaint through the County’s Code Compliance Unit.

Yes, if the employee claims to be out because of stress caused by work (or if work restrictions from the physician indicate this), you are required to send the Employee’s Claim form to your employee by mail. Workers' Compensation Services will conduct an investigation to determine work-related stress factors with any stress claim.

Yes. The cost of doing business in the City of Bakersfield can be substantially higher than in the unincorporated areas of the County of Kern. The City charges retail business owners a business license fee that depends on the amount of gross sales receipts. There are also annual license fees for other types of businesses, including professions. For additional information visit the related links below or call the City of Bakersfield Treasury Division at 661-326-3762.

• City ordinances regulating businesses (Title 5)
• Finance Department home page
• Application for Business Tax Certificate

With few exceptions, the County does not require a license or fee to operate a business in unincorporated areas. For more information, contact the Business License Unit of the Kern County Sheriff's Department at 661-391-7690 or view the County's Ordinance Codes (Title 5, Business Licenses and Regulations).

No. Complaints against judges should be addressed to the Commission on Judicial Performance. The address is:

455 Golden Gate Avenue
San Francisco, California 94102
(415) 557-1200

You may come into our office and do an official record search under your name and view all the documents recorded in which you were a grantor or grantee. You can also view the index only on-line but not the images. Also search under any other names, forms of your name or business names that the liens could be recorded under. You may view the documents in order to determine which are liens and which are releases of liens.

County Job Postings can be found on the Job Board.

Engineering jobs will look like this if there are any positions needing to be filled.

The Kern County CVSO is located at:

Kern County Veterans Service Department
1120 Golden State Avenue
Bakersfield, CA 93301
Phone: (661) 868-7300

For other California CVSOs, visit Cal Vet Locations or call 1-844-SERV-VETS (844-737-8838).

The Kern County Seniors Law Center area of Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance, Inc., can offer free legal advice, counseling, and judicial representation in a variety of areas such as Medi-Cal, Social Security and SSI benefits, consumer issues, elder abuse, and housing concerns as well as community education and awareness. They do not prepare legal documents or assist with probate planning however. For more information call (661) 323-7881 or visit their website.

To be eligible for services of the Seniors Law Center, the individual must reside in Kern County and be 60 years of age or older. There is no income test to determine eligibility; however the Seniors Law Center is required to ensure that preference is given to those seniors in greatest economic and/or social need.

Fees are site specific. Information on fees charged at each disposal site can be obtained by visiting the Disposal Sites page.

County Board of Supervisors, Bakersfield City Council and County/City Planning Commission meetings are broadcast live as well as rebroadcast later in the week. The Kern Council of Governments' monthly meetings are aired several times a month. As a service to our armed services community, Kern County TV airs Army News, Navy News, and Air Force News several times a week. Kern County TV special presentations include a variety of programming topics including how to find a job to health and safety tips for your home and family. An example is "Job Line" brought to you by Employers' Training Resource. Other programs focus on services provided by local government. Program Guide.

When the station is not airing shows or meetings, InfoKern, a bulletin board service, is on the air with information about special events and helpful tips from various government departments.

Options include:

• A confirmation document provided by the test site when you have the test done. (Note: you may need to ask them to provide this confirmation document)
• A screen print of the email notifying you that your test results are ready.
• A screen print of the actual test results.

Important Notes: Before uploading the document, be sure to redact (erase/strike through) any personal information (PHI or PII) other than first and last name - see Guidelines for Proof of Completion Documents (PDF).

In case of emergency, you should call 911 or go to the closest hospital emergency room for treatment. Otherwise, if you are injured at work, notify your employer as soon as possible. Your employer will provide you with a claim form. When you notify your employer or Workers’ Compensation Services that you have had a work-related injury, your employer or Workers’ Compensation Services will arrange an initial appointment with a doctor in the County of Kern MPN.

A Color Case Map shows subdivisions (Tracts, Parcel Maps, etc.), Streets & Highways dedicated to public use, proposed highway alignments, Waterways (rivers, lakes, canals), City limit boundaries, Local Government properties, Easements dedicated to public use (access, drainage, etc.) and recording information about each document.

A Filed Map shows survey activity, performed by the County Surveyor’s Office or the State of California, and is on file in the County Surveyor’s Office. At this time, survey activity maps done by the State of California have not been scanned, and are not currently available for download. Copies may be obtained from local blueprint companies.

Survey activity maps performed by the County Surveyor’s Office are available for download at the link below.

Filed Maps

A Parcel Map shows the subdivision of land into Parcels for sale and is recorded in the County Recorder’s Office. Parcel Maps typically contain fewer “Lots” than Tract Maps and requirements for improvements (to the property) are less extensive than for Tract Maps.

A Record of Survey Map shows survey activity, performed by private surveyors, and is recorded in the County Recorder’s Office.

A Tract Map shows the subdivision of land into Lots for sale and is recorded in the County Recorder’s Office.

A Zone Map shows zoning information for that location.

A Geographic Information System, or GIS, is an organized collection of computer hardware, software, geographic data, and personnel designed to efficiently capture, store, update, manipulate, analyze, and display all forms of geographically referenced information. In simple terms: A computer system capable of holding and using data describing places on the earth’s surface.

Learn more at www.gis.com.

Transitional Work is a temporary, medically-approved modification of an employee's work duties during the transitional period of his or her medical recovery. While the employee is medically recovering from an injury or illness, he or she may not be able to perform his or her usual and customary work duties. Temporarily modifying the employee's work duties may allow him or her to continue to work, maintaining his or her income and preserving his/her Sick Leave and Vacation accrual balances. Transitional Work plans are individually designed and carefully structured.

A no-fault, employer-paid insurance system designed to assure that employees who sustain work-related injury or illness receive complete medical attention for the injury or illness, and a degree of financial and other support in returning to gainful work.

New construction typically involves an improvement to real property, such as a room addition, pool, or garage. An alteration which restores a building to the "substantial equivalent of new" (such as a complete renovation) would also qualify as new construction. Certain types of construction, such as solar panels, are exempt from assessment, and normal repair and maintenance is not considered new construction.

Only the newly constructed portion may be reassessed. The value of the existing property is not affected.

Bus Schedule information and answers to common questions is provided on the KernTransit.org website.

If you're a first time user of Kern Transit, we recommend viewing the How To Ride section.

Call Workers' Compensation Services at (661) 868-3801.

I turned in a complaint last week. Why hasn’t the County done anything?

Most likely the County has started working with the property owner to resolve the violation. Typically the County will notify the owner that we have received a specific complaint alleging certain violations of the Kern County Ordinance Code exist on his or her property. We normally request that the property owner respond to us indicating they will resolve the violation in an acceptable time frame, that the violation has been resolved or that the property was not in violation. If the owner chooses not to work with the County to cooperatively resolve the violation, we begin a more formal legal process which may take an extended time to fully resolve. We request that in most nonhazardous situations that you wait a minimum of 30 days after filing the complaint before checking on the status of a complaint to allow us time to contact the property owner and attempt resolution of the violation.

All Poll Workers must attend an overview training session to work at a poll site. Only workers that have been selected to work in the upcoming election will be able to make an on-line reservation for a training class.

Advance reservations are required for all training classes. Reservations are made on a "first come first served" basis.

While using Sick Leave:
You continue to accrue Sick Leave and Vacation Leave at your regular rate. The accruals are credited to you immediately, and you can use them as soon as you accrue them.

If you separate from the County without returning to work:
Vacation Leave accrued in this period is paid to you. Sick Leave accrued in this period is not paid to you.

While using Sick Leave:
You continue to accrue Sick Leave and Vacation Leave at your regular rate. The accruals are credited to you immediately, and you can use them as soon as you accrue them.

While you are on Leave of Absence Without Pay and still receiving Temporary Disability payments:
You do not accrue Sick Leave and Vacation Leave.

Dirt that is determined to be clean (free of debris, trash, and contaminants) by Kern County Public Works staff prior to delivery to a facility or determined on-site is charged at $5.33 per ton. Clean inerts (concrete, brick, asphalt, etc.) are charged at $15.98 per ton. If inert loads are determined to be contaminated with debris, trash, or contaminants and require disposal, the load will be considered construction and demolition (C&D) waste and charged at $85.23 per ton.

Yes. The only items that are edited are those portions which are not agenda items.

County Job Postings can be found on the Job Board.

Engineering jobs will look like this if there are any positions needing to be filled.

Although no one keeps a count of how many employees have disabilities, it is estimated that approximately 20% of Americans have work impairments.

Poll workers are required to arrive at their assigned site at 6 a.m. on Election Day and stay until closing is complete, usually around 9:30 p.m. Polls are open for voting from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. You will also be required to help set up the poll site the night before the election. The set-up time will be arranged by your team leader.

While using Sick Leave in lieu of Temporary Disability payments, you continue to earn retirement service credit at your regular rate. While you are on Leave of Absence Without Pay, you do not earn retirement service credit.

The gate fee for non-residential solid waste, excluding wastes for which a special rate or charge may apply, is $61.79 per ton. Since transfer stations require additional handling and transportation of the waste to a final disposal location or recycling center, the per ton gate fee for non-residential solid waste received at any transfer station will include an added $10.65 per ton transfer fee for a total rate of $72.44 per ton.

Due to permitting requirements, landfill staff is not allowed to keep the gate open beyond the posted landfill hours. Please allow plenty of time to get to the Disposal Facility before it closes.

Hours of operation are found on individual Disposal Site detail pages. Start here to find your Disposal Site.

The decision whether or not to file criminal charges can only be made by a Deputy District Attorney. The most common reason a case is not filed is insufficiency of the evidence to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. Sometimes a case is not filed because additional investigation is necessary.

Our records only reflect documents that other entities have submitted for recordation. If you paid off a lien and no release has been recorded, you must contact the authority or person who placed the lien against you to get them to correct their records and follow the process for recording a release with this office.

Call (661) 861-3110.

No, however, the DMV may apply renewal or replacement fees when applicable.

The Assessor determines the fair market value of new construction as of the date of completion or the fair market value of the portion of property transferred as of the transfer date. Once the new value has been determined, the Assessor issues a Notice of Supplemental Assessment indicating the new assessed value and the net change in assessed value.

If you disagree with either the diagnosis or treatment prescribed by your doctor, you may ask for a second opinion from another doctor within the County of Kern MPN. If you want a second opinion, you must contact your claims adjuster and tell them you want a second opinion. The contact person will provide you with a list of MPN doctors from which to choose. Then you may choose a doctor from the County of Kern MPN and make an appointment within 60 days. You must tell your claims adjuster of your appointment date.

If you do not make an appointment within 60 days, you will not be allowed to have a second opinion with regard to the disputed diagnosis or treatment of the treating physician.

If the second opinion doctor feels that your injury is outside of the type of injury he or she normally treats, the doctor’s office will notify Workers’ Compensation Services and you will be given a new list of County of Kern MPN doctors or specialists so you can make another selection.

After you receive a second opinion, if you still disagree with your doctor, you may ask for a third opinion. If you want a third opinion, you must contact your adjuster and tell them you want a third opinion. They will make sure you have a list of County of Kern MPN doctors to choose from. Then you may choose a doctor from the County of Kern MPN and make an appointment within 60 days. You must tell your claims adjuster of your appointment date.

If you do not make an appointment within 60 days, then you will not be allowed to have a third opinion with regard to this disputed diagnosis or treatment of this treating physician.

If the third opinion doctor feels that your injury is outside the type of injury he or she normally treats, the doctor’s office will notify your claims adjuster and you will be given a new list of County of Kern MPN doctors or specialists so you can make another selection.

If after the third opinion, you still disagree with your doctor, you may ask for an Independent Medical Review (IMR). Your Claims adjuster will give you information on requesting an Independent Medical Review and a form on which to request an independent medical examiner from the Administrative Director.

A physician outside the MPN will be selected to conduct an independent assessment of your dispute and do an Independent Medical Review.

As long as your second opinion, third opinion or Independent Medical Reviewer agrees with the treating doctor, you will need to continue to receive your medical treatment with the doctors in the County of Kern MPN network.

If the Independent Medical Reviewer does not agree with your treating doctor, second opinion, or third opinion doctor you will be allowed to receive that treatment from a provider either inside or outside the County of Kern MPN. If you decide to receive treatment outside the MPN, it can only be for treatment or diagnostic service recommended by the Independent Medical Reviewer.

Once this treatment is completed, you will receive all other treatment from a doctor of your choice from the MPN Network.

The Veteran will need to present their Form DD-214, and a photo ID (such as current driver license, current passport, VA Healthcare System Enrollment Card, etc.).

Generally speaking, a gate fee is charged for specific wastes brought to a County waste facility. Gate fees would apply for waste resulting from commercial, industrial, institutional, and agricultural sources and wastes such as construction and demolition, tires, treated wood, dead animals, travel trailers, clean dirt and inerts, and other items as defined in the ordinance.

A psychiatric injury is compensable if it is a mental disorder that caused a disability or the need for medical treatment, based on a diagnosis using language and criteria accepted nationally by practitioners in the field of psychiatric medicine.

For a psychiatric injury claim to be compensable, however, the following must apply:

• The employee must have been employed for at least six months (need not be continuous) unless the psychiatric injury is caused by a sudden and extraordinary employment condition.
• The employee must demonstrate by a preponderance of evidence that actual events of employment were predominant (not less than 51%) as to all contributory causes.
• For employees whose injuries resulted from being a victim of a violent act or from direct exposure to a significant violent act, the employee must demonstrate by a preponderance of evidence that actual events of employment were a substantial cause (35-40%) of the injury.

No compensation is due in the following situations:

• Claim is filed after notice of termination or layoff unless special conditions exist.
• Psychiatric injury was substantially caused by a lawful, nondiscriminatory, good faith personnel action.

LPS Conservatorship can be established for an individual who is gravely disabled due to mental illness.

Grave disability is defined as a condition in which a person is unable to provide for his/her basic personal needs for food, clothing, or shelter, as a result of a mental disorder. Additionally it must be determined that the individual is unwilling or unable to accept help from a third party to meet these basic needs. A minor is considered to be gravely disabled if he/she is unable to use the basic elements of life, which are considered to be essential for health, safety and development, even if provided by others.

HMO stands for Health Maintenance Organization. An HMO offers managed health care at a set rate of cost. The HMO becomes the individual's primary form of insurance.

Medigap policies act as a secondary policy to Medicare. Medigap policies are private pay and allow for self-referral to specialists as well as freedom of choice in medical care. Medicare remains the primary source of insurance.

As HICAP counselors we do not advise, endorse, or sell any form of insurance. We can provide you with information and options regarding HMO and Medigap choices. Medicare Website.

Transportation options in Bakersfield area.

If you live outside of Bakersfield there may be other options. Please give us a call and we will help you locate the transportation that is available in your area.

All injuries and illnesses, no matter how trivial, should immediately be reported to your supervisor. A delay in reporting an injury may result in a delay in providing benefits, or may even jeopardize your eligibility for benefits. You should also immediately report all injuries and illness which you believe may be work-related, even if you are not absolutely sure they are. This will protect your right to any benefits that may be due you.

As of November 2019 Kern Public Works had historically documented the recommended processing, including transportation, of waste and recycling materials in the Kern County Recycling Guide. This document was updated yearly and published digitally through .pdf and in print, found in Kern County phone book.

Today, information regarding the transportation and processing of waste and recycling is best found in the Public Works Recycling Portal.

Look for the following icon of a yellow car: [missing image]

Direct Examples

• Hazardous Waste

All county employees, jurors, and volunteers.

Call Workers' Compensation Services at (661) 868-3801.

Who should I contact if my neighbor has lots of weeds on his property that creates a fire hazard?

Complaints received by the Code Compliance Unit regarding weeds will be referred to the Fire Department for investigation. For faster resolution it is suggested that you call these complaints into the local Fire Department directly. If the weeds are not a fire hazard and they are more of a maintenance problem, the complaint should be submitted to the Code Compliance Unit.

The program, which is a Medi-Cal-based program, serves qualifying California residents living in their own homes or a home of their choosing who need IHSS to remain safely in their own homes.

Note: Acute care facilities, long term care facilities, and licensed community care facilities are not considered "own home".

Yes. Both the County and the City require a Home Occupation Permit that will allow you to operate a business, subject to certain restrictions to ensure compatibility with other permitted businesses and with the residential character of the neighborhood. The City has more rigorous requirements than the County does. For example, the City does not allow business-related signage, more than one client at a time, or any merchandise visible from the street. For more information about City requirements and obtaining a Home Occupation Permit, call the Planning Division at 661-326-3733 or visit the Bakersfield Web site.

You have the right to appeal any assessed value if you feel that it exceeds the market value of the property in question, provided that the appeal is filed in a timely manner. Appeal of supplemental assessments must be filed with the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors within sixty (60) days of the mailing date shown on the supplemental bill or the supplemental voucher.

If you feel a supplemental assessment is incorrect, we recommend that you discuss the assessment with the Assessor's Office as soon as possible after receiving notice and prior to filing an appeal. If you can provide the assessor with convincing evidence that the assessment was incorrect, the assessment could be corrected without an assessment appeal hearing.

Important: Filing an appeal does not relieve the applicant from the obligation to pay property taxes on or before the applicable due date shown on the tax bill.

Further information about the appeals process may be obtained by contacting the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors at (661) 868-3585.

The Office of the County Counsel provides legal advice only to the Board of Supervisors, elected officials, and County of Kern employees for matters related to the operation and management of the County.

No. Many people continue to work while receiving workers' compensation benefits (medical treatment, for instance). You can file a claim whether or not you have lost any time from work.

• Dead animals are accepted at all Landfills.
• Dead animals are accepted at the Kern Valley, Lebec, and McFarland-Delano Transfer Stations.
• Dead animals are not accepted at other Transfer Stations, Bin Sites, Special Waste Facilities.

Disposal Criteria

• You must notify the Department at (661) 862-8900 or (800) 552-KERN – prior to bringing in large animals such horses or cows and if you have multiple animals.
• Animals must be dead before arrival and cannot be put down on site.
• You are responsible for unloading your animals.

To obtain your Form DD-214, submit your request via the National Archives and Records Administration webpage or call 314-801-0800. You may also visit your CVSO.

To qualify for IHSS, you must:

1. Be a citizen of the United States or a qualified alien and a California resident.
2. Live in your own home or home of your choosing (acute care facilities, long term care facilities, licensed community care facilities are not considered "own home").
3. Be eligible for or receiving Medi-Cal benefits. You must be in one of the following groups:
   
   • You are currently receiving Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Program (SSI/SSP) benefits administered by the Social Security Administration because you have been determined by that agency to be aged (65 years of age or older), blind, or disabled
   • You meet all eligibility criteria for SSI/SSP, including income, but do not receive SSI/SSP
   • You meet all eligibility criteria for SSI/SSP except that your income is in excess of the applicable SSI/SSP eligibility standards. You may have to pay a portion of the cost of the IHSS benefits
   • You are a Medi-Cal beneficiary who has been determined aged, blind or disabled in accordance with SSI/SSP criteria

While Sick Leave is used, all contributions to your Medical, Dental, and Optical insurance premiums continue as usual.

While Vacation Leave is used, all contributions to your Medical, Dental, and Optical insurance premiums continue as usual. However, after 52 weeks of industrial leave or once you are placed on Absent Without Pay status, alternate arrangements must be made to assure that payment of your Health insurance premiums continues.

Crimes are charged by the District Attorney's Office on behalf of the People of the State of California, not on behalf of the victim. The decision to dismiss charges can only be made by an attorney in the District Attorney's office. If you are the victim in a case that has been filed, and you wish to have the case dismissed, you should discuss your reasons with a representative of this Office. Your request and the reasons for it will be considered, but the final determination as to whether or not charges will be filed or dismissed can only be made by a Deputy District Attorney.

Take a picture with your smart phone. Be sure to include the entire document and make sure it’s not blurry.

To request the County to remove it, call (661) 868-1605 or fill out the online Request Free Graffiti Removal form.

If you want to clean it up yourself:

• If you want the County to provide the materials and training, join our Adopt a Wall program.
• If you want to do it without involving the County, you may want to view the graffiti removal tips page.

No, however, the DMV may charge applicable renewal or replacement fees.

Yes, all poll workers must attend a training class. Only workers that have been selected to work at a poll site in the upcoming election will be able to make a reservation for a training class. Advance reservations are required to attend class. Reservations are made on a "first come first served" basis.

We do not report to credit agencies, nor can we intervene on the behalf of an individual disputing their credit profile. Documents recorded in our office are public record and are available for search by any interested parties, including credit-reporting agencies. You may dispute errors in your credit record with the credit bureau that is reporting them. Contact the bureau involved to initiate the dispute process.

No. Neither the County nor the City require property owners to install these improvements. The County and the City may use Federal grant funds to install curbs, gutters and storm drains in low and moderate income neighborhoods that lack them. For property owners who want curbs, gutters and/or sidewalks installed where their property, annexed or not, fronts on City streets, the City will perform engineering, design and grading, charging the property owner only the contractor's cost for concrete work.

Accommodations are "tailor made" to the individual based on his or her particular needs. Some Examples are:

• Ergonomic Modifications: for computer users or other employees who perform repetitive work. Changes in workstation set-up and/or purchase of ergonomic equipment can effect a change that allows an employee to continue working.
• Time Flexibility: starting earlier, leaving later, or working a reduced time schedule, can assist employees who need a gradual return to work after being ill or who are coping with a chronic illness.
• Job Restructuring: redistributing or redesigning tasks can assist a disabled worker in overcoming an otherwise work-limiting restriction.
• Specialized Equipment: using assistive technology can sometimes be helpful. Such items as voice activated computers, optical character recognition software, optical scanners, and voice synthesizers’ fall into this category.

Vocational Rehabilitation Services can facilitate these kinds of accommodations. Typically the County works with the employee's physician, supervisor, benefit/claims administrator and other staff, as appropriate, in order to develop an effective return to work plan that meets both employee and departmental needs.

For more information regarding modified duty or reasonable accommodation, please contact the Workers' Compensation Services Claims Administrator at (661) 868-3801.

• Medical and Hospital Care - to cure and relieve from the affects of the injury
• Temporary Disability Payments - to partially replace earnings lost during medical recovery
• Permanent Disability Payments - to partially replace earning power lost after medical recovery
• Vocational Rehabilitation - to assist the worker in returning to suitable gainful employment for injuries prior to 1/1/04
• Death Benefits - payable to dependents should the injury or illness materially lead to death
• Supplemental Job Displacement Benefit for injuries on or after 1/1/04

For more detailed information, see the following Workers' Compensation brochures:

• Injured Worker (PDF)
• Injured Worker (Spanish) (PDF)

Dead animals (excluding small pets) that require special handling at a disposal facility is $106.54 per animal. Multiple dead animals or parts of animals that require special handling at the disposal facility is $159.81 per ton. Special handling is determined at the receiving facility. Large dead animals (such as pigs, goats, horses, chickens, etc.) and multiple dead animals are accepted at landfills only. Smaller household pets (cat, small dog, etc.) are accepted at landfills and transfer stations.

Aluminum cans, newspaper, cardboard, plastic bottles, glass and junk mail are common types of household recyclable waste materials. There are many recycling options available for Kern County residents. Some residents have the opportunity to participate in a curbside recycling programs while others can choose to utilize Buy-back Centers. A detailed list of recycling opportunities can be found in the Kern County Recycling Guide.

• Three (3) sets of plans, drawn to scale, are required which include the following:
  • A site plan showing the location of all property lines and existing and proposed structures. The use of each structure and the distances between them and to the property lines must also be indicated. An arrow indicating “North” is also required.
  • A floor plan showing all walls, doors, windows, and the use of each room. Critical dimensions shall be indicated.
  • Structural plans which include:
    • foundation plan
    • wall framing plan including required wall bracing
    • floor framing plan
    • roof framing plan or truss layout
    • cross section(s)
    • details of critical connections
    • statement of special inspections (if special inspections are required)
  • All plans for commercial projects and multifamily dwellings must show compliance with California Disabled Access Regulations. All required access features, with dimensions, shall be clearly indicated on the plans. Certain items must also be addressed when additions, alterations or structural repairs are proposed as well.
  • A complete electrical plan. (Residential plans must also show the locations of all required smoke detectors.)
  • A complete plumbing and mechanical plan is required for most commercial projects, but not for residential projects unless unusual construction is proposed.
• Two (2) sets of structural calculations are required for most commercial projects and for all projects that are considered nonconventional construction. Unless specifically indicated otherwise by the Building Official, structural calculations shall include a complete vertical and lateral analysis. All construction requirements shown in the calculations shall be reflected on the plans. All structural calculations shall be stamped and signed by a qualified architect or engineer licensed by the State of California.
• A foundation and soils investigation is likely required per CBC chapter 18.
• Two (2) sets of (Title 24) Energy Documentation (if required).
• Other information is required such as names and addresses of the owner, contractor, engineer/architect, and the applicant.
• Contractors must provide Worker’s Compensation Insurance information and a valid Contractor’s License.

This may not be a complete list. Other departments may be involved. Additional items may be required.

The Code Compliance Unit enforces regulations relating to the following:

1. Condition of existing structures that constitute a clear and present danger to the public.
2. Building Code violations (building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, access, etc.) Including construction or change of occupancy without permits.
3. California State Housing law (minimum standards for safe and sanitary housing).
4. Illegal dumping.
5. Liquid waste disposal.
6. Zoning requirements for structures such as use, location, configuration, size and land use requirements.
7. Abandoned vehicles.
8. Occupied Recreational Vehicles.

The County has a Transfer of Care policy that describes what will happen if you are currently being treated for a work-related injury with a physician who is not a member of the MPN.

If your current treating doctor is a member of the County of Kern MPN, then you may continue to treat with this doctor and your treatment will be under the County of Kern MPN.

If your current treating doctor is not allowed to become a member of the County of Kern MPN, then you will be notified and given a choice of doctors within the MPN to choose for further treatment. Your doctor will also be notified in writing.

You will not be immediately transferred to a doctor in the County of Kern MPN if your injury or illness meets any of the following conditions:

• Acute: An acute condition is a medical condition that involves a sudden onset of symptoms due to illness, injury, or other medical problem that requires prompt medical attention and that has duration of not more than 30 days. Completion of treatment shall be provided for the duration of the acute condition before transfer of care is undertaken.
• Serious or Chronic: A serious or chronic condition is a medical condition due to disease, illness, catastrophic injury, or other medical problem or medical disorder that is serious in nature and that persists without full cure or worsens over 90 days and requires ongoing treatment to maintain remission or prevent deterioration. Completion of treatment shall be authorized for a period of time necessary, up to one year: (A) to complete a course of treatment approved by the County; and (B) to arrange for transfer to another provider within the MPN, as determined by the County. The one-year period for completion of treatment starts from the date of determination that the employee has a serious chronic condition.
• A Terminal Illness: A terminal illness is an incurable or irreversible condition that has high probability of causing death within one year or less. Completion of treatment shall be provided for the duration of a terminal illness.
• Pending Surgery or Procedure: Surgery or another procedure that is authorized by the adjuster as part of a documented course of treatment and has been recommended and documented by the provider to occur within 180 days from the MPN coverage effective date.

If the County of Kern MPN is going to transfer your care and you disagree, you may ask your treating doctor for a report that indicates whether you are in one of the categories listed above.

If either the County of Kern MPN or you do not agree with your treating doctor’s report, this dispute will be resolved according to Labor Code Section 4062. You must notify your Claims Adjustor assigned to this case if you disagree so the dispute resolution can be initiated.

If the treating doctor agrees that your condition does not meet one of the conditions listed above, the transfer of care will go forward while the dispute resolution is in process.

If the treating doctor believes that your condition does meet one of the conditions listed above, you may continue to treat with him or her while the dispute resolution is in process.

A Delay in Decision is a notice sent by Workers' Compensation Services to an injured worker when there is a question related to the compensability of the injury.

Gates fees are one of the mechanisms that funds the Kern County Public Works Department. Fees fund the planning, development, and operation of landfills and transfer stations throughout the County in addition to recycling program implementation consistent with State and local rules and regulations. Gate fees at Kern County Public Works facilities have not increased in ten years, with the last adjustment occurring in mid-2012.

In addition, Senate Bill (SB) 1383 was signed into law of 2016 establishing methane emissions reduction targets in a statewide effort to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants. SB 1383 establishes targets to achieve a 50% reduction in the level of the statewide disposal of organic waste by 2020 and a 75% reduction by 2025. As such, Kern County Public Works is required to implement additional programs targeting the collection, processing, and reduction of organic wastes currently being disposed of. In addition, new infrastructure is required to manage the increase in organic waste recovery and solid waste management.

Dial-A-Ride is a reservation-based, curb to curb service available in several communities within Kern County. Dial-A-Ride services are available to all riders within its designated service area. Dial-A-Ride is not available outside of the community it is assigned to. For inter-community transportation, please see our fixed route schedules.

To be eligible, a veteran must have served at least 90 consecutive days during one of the following periods:

• August 5, 1964 to May 7, 1975
• August 2, 1990 to present

National Guard or Reserve active duty for training of six months or less will not quality for veterans preference points.

Tuesday, November 8, 2022. To check your registration or get registered to vote, visit kernvote.com or registertovote.ca.gov.

Workers Compensation Services
County of Kern
1115 Truxtun Avenue, 4th Floor
Bakersfield, CA 93301
(661) 868-3801

Local cable companies pay annual franchise fees to the County. Kern County TV derives some of its operational budget from a small portion of these fees. Additionally, Bright House Networks helps support the station through the use of their fiber-optic transmission system.

As a general rule, no, unless you act outside your scope of employment with “serious and willful misconduct” or discrimination. In such cases, you may be held personally liable. In addition to seeking an increase in benefits, an employee may pursue civil remedies.

If an employer knowingly violates a safety order and the violation is the cause of the injury, it will constitute serious and willful misconduct. Also, if the employer fails to provide a safe place to work as required by law, the intent required for serious and willful misconduct may be inferred.

The term “willful” means that the conduct was intended. “Misconduct” is defined as “inappropriate behavior.” An employee seeking an increase in benefits must prove that the employer’s conduct involved an intent to injure or showed a reckless disregard for employee safety.

If an employer discharges, threatens to discharge, or discriminates against an employee because he or she has filed or made known an intention to file an application for adjudication, or because the employee has received a rating, award, or settlement, the employer is guilty of a misdemeanor.

If you are found to have caused an injury by serious and willful misconduct or to have discriminated against an employee, the department will be responsible for the payment of any award or increase in benefits that results.

No, the veteran designation should permanently remain on a person’s driver license or identification (DL/ID) card. Renewals do not require another verification form. If a person renews by mail or Internet there will not be a question that asks them if they want the veteran designation, but the new DL/ID card will be produced with the designation if it was on his or her prior DL/ID card. If a person renews in a DMV field office, the person will have to mark on the DL/ID application that they want to retain the veteran designation.

Yes, if your business is in an unincorporated area and can be classified as one of the following:

• Loose Vehicle Parts Dealer
• Carnival
• Circus
• Fortuneteller
• Itinerant Peddler
• Locksmith
• Weapons Dealer
• Taxicab Service
• Shooting Galleries, Doll Racks, or Games of Skill
• Swap Meets
• Taxicab Driver
• Commercial Photographers
• Temporary Business
• Street Vendor
• Massage Establishment

For a more detailed explanation of each business classification, you can visit the Kern County Sheriff's Office website.

All dirt is not created equal! Believe it or not, there are several kinds of dirt:

• Clean fill dirt (less than 30% vegetation);
• Dirty dirt (more than 30% vegetation, rocks, trash etc.); and
• Contaminated dirt (hazardous constituents in the dirt).

Dirt, of any kind, is not accepted at Bin Sites or Transfer Stations.

Dirt and Dirty Dirt is accepted at all Landfill Disposal Sites. Contaminated dirt is not accepted.

Disposal fees will be charged based on the type of dirt you are bringing into the facility.

Prior to bringing dirt to a Landfill Site, you must call (661) 862-8900 or (800) 552-KERN to obtain approval.

No. Both the County and the City operate "code compliance" programs to maintain public safety and property values and to encourage property owners to comply with local ordinances covering topics such as dilapidated structures, weeds, animals, noise, home-operated businesses and other aspects of property use and/or neglect. Both the County and the City code compliance programs are complaint-driven as well as staff-initiated. The chief goal of both the County and City programs is compliance rather than punishment, although penalties may be imposed to gain compliance.

Report the injury to your supervisor; claim forms will be sent to you.

No, all poll workers are required to work the entire day on Election Day.

The process of collecting damages from the County is started by filing a claim with the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, located at the County Administration Building, 5th Floor, Bakersfield, California 93301, (661) 868-3585. Download instructions for filing a claim or they can also be obtained from the General Liability office. You may also contact Ms. Nancy Georgeson who is the Liability Claims Adjuster in the Office of County Counsel at 661-868-3867.

The law regarding claims against public entities is complex and has short deadlines. You may need to seek the services of an attorney for your own protection. You should present your claim without delay.

For additional information, please reference Government Code Section 910.

Most home purchases involve recording deeds with this office. These deeds become public records. Anyone may view the information on these deeds. Some companies are in business to take information from certain kinds of documents and regularly come into this office for that purpose. Deeds often have the owner’s address as the mailing address, and anything on the document is public information that we can’t legally restrict. Most deeds do not have phone numbers, and we do not maintain files of addresses and phone numbers, so phone solicitors are likely getting your phone number from another source not known to us.

The Community Development Programs make grants and low cost loans to qualified homeowners. Bakersfield city residents may call Bakersfield City Community Development at (661) 326-3765; County residents may call Kern County Community Development at (661) 862-5050; and those living in the rural areas should call the Rural Development program at (661) 336-0967.

To report it, call (661) 868-1605 or fill out the online Report Graffiti form.

With the ability to view local government meetings from their homes via television or from their PC (view live feed), the public has easier access to hear what local government is discussing thus keeping Kern County residents more informed of governmental issues and decision making. The public is now able to attend the Board meetings and not take a day off work.

All tires, regardless of if they originate from a residential or non-residential source, will be charged the following fees. Tires in bulk loads and earth mover tires will be charged at $266.35 per ton. Light duty tires will be charged at $3.20 per tire for 18" diameter rim or smaller. Heavy duty tires will be charged at $15.98 per tire for 19" to 24" diameter rims. Oversize tires will be charged at $21.31 per tire for racing tires and tires with more than 24" rims.

The first letter you should receive is mailed to you as a courtesy after we have received a complaint. It is intended to merely advise you that a violation of the Kern County Ordinance Code has been alleged. After receipt of the letter please contact the Code Compliance Units’ Officer assigned the case at your earliest convenience to clear up any of the following:

1. The information in the letter is incorrect.
2. The violation no longer exists.
3. You don’t understand some part of the letter.
4. You just need additional time to bring your property into compliance.
5. If you want to talk about your options.

Once the allowable time specified on your first letter has expired, and if you have not contacted the Code Compliance Unit, an officer will inspect your property to verify the allegations.

If it is determined that the violation does not exist, the case will be closed and no further action will be taken. However, if a violation is found to exist, you will be notified by an “Official Notice To Comply.” This notice will state specific code sections for which you are in violation, the remedies available to you, and any fines, charges and/or penalties that you will be assessed.

Please contact the Code Compliance Unit as soon as possible. We will be happy to discuss the information outlined in your notice with you and to go over any and all options available to you. Our first priority is to bring violations into compliance through voluntary measures whenever possible.

Contact the District Attorney's Office. We can help you with information regarding qualification for various services, including losses covered through the Victims of Violent Crimes Program and information on where to file a claim for restitution.

Workers’ Compensation Services will automatically arrange for a workstation assessment as part of the workers' compensation claims process.

Employees may also call Workers’ Compensation Services directly at (661) 868-3801 should they have additional questions or to discuss an individual situation.

The County of Kern has a written Continuity of Care policy that may allow you to continue treatment with your doctor if your doctor is no longer actively participating in the County of Kern MPN.

If you are being treated for a work-related injury in the County of Kern MPN and your doctor no longer has a contract with the MPN, your doctor may be allowed to continue to treat you if your injury or illness meets one of the following conditions:

• Acute: An acute condition is a medical condition that involves a sudden onset of symptoms due to illness, injury, or other medical problem that requires prompt medical attention. An acute condition by definition is limited to not more than 30 days. Completion of treatment shall be provided for the duration of the acute condition.
• Serious or Chronic: A serious or chronic condition is a medical condition due to disease, illness, catastrophic injury, or other medical problem or medical disorder that is serious in nature and that persists without full cure and requires ongoing treatment to maintain remission or prevent deterioration. Treatment by the current treating doctor will be allowed, for up to one year or until a safe transfer of care can be made, which ever is less.
• A Terminal Illness: A terminal illness is an incurable or irreversible condition that has high probability of causing death within one year or less. Completion of treatment shall be provided for the duration of a terminal illness.
• Pending Surgery or Procedure: You already have a surgery or other procedure that has been authorized by your claims adjuster that will occur within 180 days of the MPN effective date.

If any of the above conditions exist, County of Kern MPN may require your doctor to agree in writing to the same terms as he or she agreed to when they were a provider in the County of Kern MPN Network. If the doctor does not, they may not be able to continue to treat you.

If the contract with your doctor was terminated or not renewed by County of Kern MPN for reasons relating to medical disciplinary cause or reason, fraud or criminal activity, you will not be allowed to complete treatment with that doctor.

If work is completed without the benefit of permits, it is a violation. No further permits will be issued for that site until the violation is corrected. Additional fees and/or fines may result and a lien may be placed against the property until the violation is corrected.

Building permits must be obtained as required for new construction. The work must comply with the applicable codes in effect at the time of application. Therefore, work that may have been legal at the time of construction, may not be acceptable at the time of permitting.

If the unpermitted work is commercial, a licensed architect or engineer must prepare and certify all plans and documents as indicated in this pamphlet and submit to the Building Official for review and approval. When the plans are approved by the Building Official, a building inspector will perform the normal inspections. However, any construction which the inspector cannot verify must be qualified by a licensed engineer or architect to the satisfaction of the Building Official. This may require expensive testing and/or demolition and often becomes very time consuming.

If the unpermitted work is residential, you can pay for a building inspector to perform a site inspection and he/she will indicate, in writing, what documents and information must be provided to the building department in order to obtain the building permit. A licensed engineer or architect may be required to certify plans and documents. Again, any work that cannot be verified by the inspector must be qualified by a licensed engineer or architect to the satisfaction of the Building Official.

“Organic waste” means solid wastes containing material originated from living organisms and their metabolic waste products including, but not limited to, food, green material, landscape and pruning waste, organic textiles and carpets, lumber, wood, paper products, printing and writing paper, manure, biosolids, digestate, and sludges.

Medical Dial-A-Ride is a reservation-based, curb to curb service available in the city of Bakersfield for Medical appointments only. Medical Dial-A-Ride is available to all riders transferring from a Kern Transit route, and there is no cost to transfer. Medical Dial-A-Ride is not a service provided to Bakersfield City residents. For Dial-A-Ride or similar services available in the city of Bakersfield, please see www.getbus.org or call, 661-869-2438 for more information.

The Grand Jury is a body of 19 citizens, independent of any political or special interest group. NO law degree or specific credential is necessary to be a Grand Jury member though an avid interest in preserving honest and proper conduct of ALL governmental agencies within Kern County is essential. Grand Jurors should also possess the desire to insure that all monies, within these areas of government, are being handled prudently and in the best interest of Kern County residents. The Grand Jury’s purpose is to serve and assist the people of Kern County.

The face of the DL/ID card will have the word "Veteran" to indicate a person served in the US Armed Forces.

There are a number of different organizations, throughout the County, that collect residential and commercial trash & recyclables. Both municipalities and private businesses complete the list.

If you live within a city boundary, please contact your local City office for the name of your Trash Hauler. If you live in any unincorporated area of Kern County, private franchise haulers are contracted to provide this service.

Check the Trash Collection page for more information on the hauler in your neighborhood.

The County of Kern's Workers' Compensation Services decides whether you are eligible for workers' compensation benefits. Workers' Compensation Services can be reached at:

Workers Compensation Services
County of Kern
1115 Truxtun Avenue, 4th Floor
Bakersfield, CA 93301
(661) 868-3801

Additional Workers' Compensation Contacts

Contact the Health Benefits Office at (661) 868-3182.

The County of Kern's Workers' Compensation Services program provides the workers' compensation benefits. Workers' Compensation Services can be reached at:

Workers Compensation Services
County of Kern
1115 Truxtun Avenue, 4th Floor
Bakersfield, CA 93301
(661) 868-3801

Additional Workers' Compensation Contacts

The Kern County Public Works Department operates seven recycling & sanitary landfills, six transfer stations, and one bin site. Residents are not charged a gate fee for ordinary household trash brought to a waste and recycling facility, as the Land Use Fee paid by the property owner covers use of a waste facility. Ordinary household trash includes your usual and typical items placed in your curbside container plus self-hauled appliances, clothing, televisions, electronic waste, green waste, and furniture. If, as a resident, you decide to self-haul your ordinary household trash and recyclables to a landfill or transfer station, there will not be a gate fee.

Yes. If you want to clean it up yourself:

• If you want the County to provide the materials and training, join our Adopt a Wall program.
• If you want to do it without involving the County, you may want to view the graffiti removal tips page.

If you live in the unincorporated area of Kern County, contact the private franchise Trash Hauler contracted to provide collection services (find more information on the Trash Collection page). Residential and commercial customers residing in an incorporated city should contact their City for information about additional containers. There is an additional monthly fee for additional containers.

Yes. Whether you live in the County or the City, the number and types of animals you are permitted to keep on your property depends on the zoning district in which you live. If you are annexed, any animals that are permitted under County zoning will also be permitted by the City without a conditional use permit, even if they result in a non-conforming City use, provided that you maintain the same number and type of animal without an interruption of use for more than one year. You may not reinstate this use if it has been abandoned. If you sell your property, the new owners may not keep any animals that violate current City regulations, including those animals on the property at the time of sale.

The County permits up to 12 chickens and/or roosters in residential districts; the City specifically excludes them. In residential "estate" districts, the County permits large animals like horses with the number dependent on property size; the City excludes them.

Both the County and the City limit or prohibit certain animal husbandry activities.

Primarily because of noise considerations, the City limits property owners to three dogs. In unincorporated areas of metropolitan Bakersfield, a three-dog limit applies only to lots of ¼ acre or less except for those dogs in excess of three living on the property and licensed before July 1, 2003.

A moderately long list of animals considered as domestic pets (including pygmy goats, pot-bellied pigs, tarantulas and guinea pigs in addition to dogs, cats and rabbits) are permitted by the City in residential areas. Horses, cattle, poultry and other animals not considered as normal household pets are specifically excluded in residential areas of the City but are not prohibited in certain residential zoned County areas.

For specific information about keeping animals in residential areas of the City, contact the Permit Center for the City of Bakersfield Planning Division of the Development Services Department at 661-326-3733 or at DevPln@bakersfieldcity.us. or visit the Bakersfield Web site.

Currently, Kern County residents pay a Land Use Fee on their property taxes to cover the cost of household trash disposal. This fee gives residents the ability to use Kern County Disposal Facilities without payment at the gate. Since self-haul customers, from outside the county, do not pay into the land use fee system, Out-of-County Customers are required to pay Disposal Fees at the gate. In order to determine which customers must pay the fee, the Waste Management Department is asking for proof of Kern County residency. Acceptable forms of identification include: Drivers License or Identification Card with a Kern County address or a utility bill with a Kern County address and a picture ID.

No, provided the injury is accepted by the County of Kern's Workers' Compensation Services and the employee remains on the payroll.

You must schedule a Dial-A-Ride by calling on of our three dispatch offices at, 1-800-323-2396. For reservations in Lamont, Frazier Park, and Medical Dial-A-Ride, press option #1 when calling our 800 number. For reservations in the Lake Isabella area, press option #2 when calling our 800 number. For reservations in Mojave, Tehachapi, and Rosamond, press option #3 when calling our 800 number.

While you are off work recovering from your injury or illness, you will receive Temporary Disability (TD) payments from Workers' Compensation Services. Temporary Disability partially replaces lost wages. It is always less than 100% of your regular earnings. The amount of the TD benefit depends on your average weekly earnings at the time you were injured. There are maximum and minimum amounts.

For injuries occurring on or after 1/1/05, the amount of the TD benefit is two-thirds (2/3) of your average weekly earnings, but No more than $840 per week, and No less than $126 per week, or actual earnings if less.

Example 1: If you usually earn $600 per week, Workers' Compensation Services will calculate TD as follows:
TD = (2/3) x $600 = $400 per week
TD is paid every two weeks. So, every two weeks you would receive a check for $800 (2 x $400).

Example 2: If you usually earn $1400 per week, Workers' Compensation Services will calculate TD as follows:
(2/3) x $1400 = $933.33, reduced to maximum rate = $840 per week
TD is paid every two weeks. So, every two weeks you would receive a check for $1680 (2 x $840)

As of January 1, 2005 the maximum TD Benefit rate is $840/week. You can elect to use your Sick Leave, or take a leave of absence without pay. If you elect to use your accrued Sick Leave, you must return your Temporary Disability check to the Auditor - Controller's Office.

If you have a calendar conflict, you should contact the deputy district attorney assigned to the case at least three days before the appearance date and explain your conflict. The name and phone number of the assigned attorney is not necessarily the name on your subpoena. Call the telephone number on the subpoena, and give the case name and number to the receptionist. Your call will be routed either to the assigned attorney, or the Supervising Deputy District Attorney.

Do not ignore the subpoena. A subpoena is a court order. Willful failure to appear as ordered is punishable as contempt, and may constitute a crime. If you fail to appear without receiving prior permission from the Deputy District Attorney, a warrant may be issued for your arrest.

We do not maintain property files. We deal with recorded documents and everything is maintained by document number and grantor-grantee name. You can usually trace ownership history by viewing deeds in an official record search. There is no specific county agency that would have all types of records (deeds, easements, etc.) in one file per property. Title companies or title abstract companies can be used to search this type of information, if appropriate.

Call the Elections Office to be excused. It is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $100 to quit unless you are excused. If you are a County employee, you must be excused by the Chief Deputy Registrar of Voters.

By talking with our program assistants you will find there are a variety of options available to your parents, ranging from in-home to out-of-home care. Many decisions must be made at this time and our trained staff are here to help. Give us a call.

Forms will be processed starting at the beginning of next year.

Every investigator, investigative aide and attorney employed by this Office is issued official identification. Ask to see it.

For taxes owed, call Deputy County Counsel, Jerri Bradley at (661) 868-3819. For all other questions, contact Chief Deputy County Counsel, Gurujodha S. Khalsa at (661) 868-3810 .

After discussions with CalVet and the California Association of CVSOs, DMV decided to use the federal definition of a Veteran: A person who has served in the active military, naval, or air service of the United States and received an other than dishonorable discharge, or, who served in a Guard or Reserve component and was mobilized for Federal Active Duty.

You can find fee information on the Kern County Sheriff's Office website.

Gate fees for treated wood waste depend wholly on the location of delivery. Some facilities, such as transfer stations and unlined landfills, cannot dispose of treated wood waste items and require additional handling and transportation to a final destination. Delivery of treated wood waste to transfer stations and unlined landfills will be limited to a maximum of 2 cubic yards per load at any site. Disposal of treated wood waste in the form of railroad ties will be charged at $15.98 per tie. Disposal of treated wood waste other than railroad ties will be charged at $159.81 per ton. A transfer station fee of $10.65 per ton will apply if a non-residential customer delivers the treated wood waste.

Lined landfills that are permitted to accept treated wood waste for disposal, such as Bakersfield Metropolitan (Bena), Shafter-Wasco, and Taft, the gate fee is $85.23 per ton. Due to the operations at these three landfills, it is essential that you contact Kern County Public Works prior to the delivery of any treated wood waste items to coordinate disposal requirements and complete the required paperwork. Kern County Public Works, at its sole discretion, shall determine the landfill that treated wood waste be sent for disposal.

The Administrative Citation will be issued when the citizen has failed after notification and a period of time to correct a violation of the Kern County Ordinance Code.

When an Administrative Citation is issued it is due and payable within thirty (30) days of the date issued. The first citation issued is $250.00. These fines are cumulative and citations may be issued every thirty (30) days the violation exists. In addition to the administration citation penalties other costs and fines leading up to the citation may be due regarding the code violation.

Charges

• 1st citation $250.00
• 2nd citation $500.00
• 3rd citation $1,000.00
• Unlawful dumping – $250.00 per day for each day the violation exists
• Additional administrative costs may be charged in addition to the citation charges.

Payment of Fines

Make checks payable to County of Kern and mailed to:

Citation Processing Center
P. O. Box 7275
Newport Beach, CA 92658

Cash will be accepted in person at:

2700 “M” Street,
Bakersfield, CA 93301,
at the Cashier’s desk

VISA or Mastercard will be accepted online at www.citationprocessingcenter.com or by phone at 1 (800) 989-6158.

Questions regarding citations should be referred to 1 (800) 989-6158.

The Grand Jury has two basic functions.

• Civil or "watch dog" function: In this capacity, the Jury has the power and duty to examine the function and performance of public offices and officers. They report their findings and can make recommendations for changes. For more information on the reporting process, see the Reports page.
• Criminal function: In this capacity, the Jury has the power and duty to inquire into possible public offenses, misconduct in office by public officers, and to determine whether to return indictments charging the commission of felonies.

The Grand Jury:

• Will objectively investigate, audit, or examine all aspects of County government, special districts, and cities to ensure that these bodies are being effectively governed and that public monies are being judiciously handled.
• May subpoena persons and/or records to obtain information on subjects under investigation.
• May issue an accusation against public officials that may result in removal from office if upheld by the Court.
• May conduct criminal hearings to hand down criminal indictments. After hearing evidence presented by the District Attorney's office, an affirmative vote of at least 12 out of 19 jurors is necessary to indict.

Kern County disabled employees unable to return to their current jobs and regularly assigned duties and responsibilities will be provided assistance in looking for alternate employment opportunities within the County in accordance with applicable policies, contractual provisions, and statutory guidelines, as appropriate.

When a permit is required, it is necessary to provide at least three (3) sets of plans to the building department for review. After the plans are reviewed and approved, the applicant will get a set returned to him/her which has a stamp of approval from the building department. This approved set of plans must remain on the job site for the duration of the project. These plans must be available to the inspector, or inspections will not be performed. The second set of approved plans is retained by the building department. An additional copy of the floor plan is required and is sent to the assessor’s office for their records.

Submitted documents shall reflect all proposed work. Plans shall be clear enough such that if you were to hand them to a complete stranger, he/she would be able to construct the project as you intend.

Most commercial projects, as well as any construction that does not meet the requirements for “Conventional Light-Frame Construction” as specified in Chapter 23 of the California Building Code (CBC), must be designed, and all plans and documents stamped, by a qualified architect or engineer licensed by the State of California.

The Board of Supervisors meets Tuesdays at 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. (During holiday seasons the Board will not have a meeting). For complete listings of "live" broadcast and rebroadcast scheduling go to the page.

• 2024 Board Meeting Schedule(PDF)
• Board Agenda, Minutes, and Video

Once you report your injury, the forms will be sent to you.

The MPN listing was developed by the Workers' Compensation Services unit of the Office of the County Counsel and was approved by the State of California Division of Workers' Compensation.

Contact the Retirement Board Office at (661) 381-7700.

You should contact Workers' Compensation Services at the following address and phone number.

Workers Compensation Services
County of Kern
1115 Truxtun Avenue, 4th Floor
Bakersfield, CA 93301
(661) 868-3801

Landfills are the third largest source of methane in California. Organic waste in landfills emits 20% of the state’s methane, a climate pollutant 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide, and air pollutants like PM 2.5, which contributes to health conditions like asthma. Organics like food scraps, yard trimmings, paper, and cardboard make up half of what Californians dump in landfills. Organics and food scraps can now be deposited in your residential curbside green container. Reducing short-lived climate pollutants resulting from the decomposition of organic waste will have the fastest impact on the climate crisis.

The are three reasons why an owner may receive more than one supplemental tax bill:

1. Supplemental event occurred between January 1 and May 31
   • A supplemental tax bill is always generated for the remainder of the fiscal year in which the event occurred.
   • An event occurring between January 1 and May 31 will create a second supplemental assessment for the following fiscal year because the annual assessment roll, established at midnight January 1 for the fiscal year beginning July 1, will not reflect the change in value generated from a January to May event and must be adjusted to account for the change in value.


2. Prior owner had a supplemental event in the same fiscal year
   • You can also receive multiple supplemental bills in situations where a series of supplemental events take place within the same fiscal year for different owners. If the bill for the prior owner's supplemental event is for the same fiscal year in which you took ownership, you will receive a portion of that bill, pro-rated for the time period that you owned the property.


3. Multiple supplemental events occurred while you owned the property
   • If multiple supplemental events (changes in ownership and new construction) occurred while you own the property, you will receive one or two supplemental bills for each of these events. Supplemental assessments are generated for each event.

No, DMV will not share your personal information outside of entities already identified in state law.

Veterans can contact the local America's Job Center, Employers' Training Resource, and Employment Development Department for employment assistance.

Items that would be charged a gate fee to a resident of Kern County include construction & demolition materials such as asphalt, brick, concrete, dirt, drywall, fencing, metal, pallets, roofing, plastics, piping, and wood. In addition, fees for tires, dead animals (not including small pets), treated wood waste, travel trailers, clean dirt/inerts, and untarped and unsecured loads may apply. All items listed here are considered non-ordinary household trash and construction & demolition wastes.

No. For evidence of military service, a current service member can show a valid military identification card.

Businesses must call (661) 862-8922 to make an appointment to bring hazardous waste to any of the three County facilities. Check out the Business Hazardous Waste page for more information.

Yes, a Veteran can get a veteran designation on either a CA ID card or a CA Drivers license.

Yes. Whether you live in the County or the City, the number and types of animals you are permitted to keep on your property depends on the zoning district in which you live. If you are annexed, any animals that are permitted under County zoning will also be permitted by the City without a conditional use permit, even if they result in a non-conforming City use, provided that you maintain the same number and type of animal without an interruption of use for more than one year. You may not reinstate this use if it has been abandoned. If you sell your property, the new owners may not keep any animals that violate current City regulations, including those animals on the property at the time of sale.

The County permits up to 12 chickens and/or roosters in residential districts; the City specifically excludes them. In residential "estate" districts, the County permits large animals like horses with the number dependent on property size; the City excludes them.

Both the County and the City limit or prohibit certain animal husbandry activities.

Primarily because of noise considerations, the City limits property owners to three dogs. In unincorporated areas of metropolitan Bakersfield, a three-dog limit applies only to lots of ¼ acre or less except for those dogs in excess of three living on the property and licensed before July 1, 2003.

A moderately long list of animals considered as domestic pets (including pygmy goats, pot-bellied pigs, tarantulas and guinea pigs in addition to dogs, cats and rabbits) are permitted by the City in residential areas. Horses, cattle, poultry and other animals not considered as normal household pets are specifically excluded in residential areas of the City but are not prohibited in certain residential zoned County areas.

For specific information about keeping animals in residential areas of the City, contact the Permit Center for the City of Bakersfield Planning Division of the Development Services Department at 661-326-3733 or at DevPln@bakersfieldcity.us. or visit their Bakersfield Web site.

Kern County charges 2x the gate fee or $20 minimum per load, for vehicles arriving at any Disposal Site with an untarped or unsecured load.

Fly-away litter and bulky items, from untarped and unsecured loads, often blow off or fall out of vehicles – littering the roads leading to disposal facilities. County ordinance and state law requires that trash loads be secured and tarped or fines of up to $1,000 can be imposed on violators. Canvas or plastic tarps, rope and bungee cords are simple tools residents can use to completely cover and/or secure their trash during transport.

Save Your Cash... Tarp Your Trash!

Yes, if your business name does not contain your surname.

HICAP staff can provide you with available resources for pharmacy assistance. See HICAP contact information above.

Board Agenda, Minutes, and Video

There is a range of in-home care services available to Kern County seniors, ranging from publicly funded programs to private agencies.

Your loved one may qualify for the In Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Program if certain requirements are met. Call (661) 868-1000 or visit the IHSS Program page for more information.

In addition, we have a listing of various homemaker services, which are businesses that provide in home care. Some of the agencies are non-profit, with services charged on a sliding fee scale. Call us and we'll send you our homemaker list, or come in and pick up a copy.

If I suspect a violation how do I go about getting it resolved or reporting it?

You may make contact with the property owner directly and request that he resolve the violation, or you may report violations of the above codes to the Code Compliance Unit by calling our hotline at (661) 862-8603, faxing information to us at (661) 862-5149, by e-mailing your complaint to esps@goudounet.com, or by submitting an Online Complaint.

When submitting a complaint, the reporting party must include their name and phone number, as anonymous complaints will not be processed. When processing a complaint, we do not provide the violator with the information about who reported the alleged violation. Additional information which must be provided is a description of what the alleged violation is, the location of the violation including the nearest cross-street and any other pertinent information which may be helpful.

1. The Presiding Judge of the Kern County Superior Court, who acts as the advisor to the Grand Jury, selects a foreperson for the Jury.
2. The foreperson selects a foreperson pro-tem, a recording secretary, a sergeant-at-arms, and an assistant sergeant-at-arms.
3. Committees are then formed. Each juror may serve on several committees. These committees include:
   • Ad Hoc
   • Administration, Audit and County Services
   • Budget
   • Cities and Joint Powers
   • Continuity
   • Edit and Final Report
   • Health, Education and Social Services
   • Law and Justice
   • Library
   • Public Relations
   • Special Districts
   • Tracking

These committees conduct the majority of the work concerning investigations.  A general business meeting (Plenary) is held weekly with all Grand Jury members present to coordinate activity.

You will receive an email saying the form is complete.

The defendant in a criminal case can also compel attendance of witnesses through a subpoena. A subpoena from the defense is also a court order, and willful failure to appear as ordered is also punishable as contempt, and may constitute a crime. You should contact the defense attorney regarding any questions about appearing in court.

Yes, all poll workers are required to attend training class before each election.

The Office of the County Counsel is not the official custodian of any records of the County of Kern. You should inquire directly at the office or location where you believe the records are maintained, or contact the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors at (661) 868-3585.

In order to save valuable landfill space and meet State of California mandates, Kern County Public Works operates a variety of recycling programs at its disposal sites and transfer stations. A variety of materials that are separated from the waste stream are processed into new products, which is beneficial to eliminating the disposal first mentality. However, recycling is a very intensive process that involves collecting, processing, screening, transporting, cleaning, and transforming materials into another use. Each one of these steps in the recycling process comes at a significant cost.

The following brochures provide information on the workers' compensation program benefits and the rights of injured workers.

• Injured Worker (PDF)
• Injured Worker (Spanish) (PDF)

View the Restitution Order Reference Letter (PDF).

Once you have completed the employee claim form, please submit the form to your supervisor.

Workers' Compensation Services will begin to provide benefits immediately. Most claims are accepted.

No, we only have records for events that occurred in Kern County. For marriages, you must contact the county in which the license was issued. Call the County Recorder in the county in which the event occurred to find out how you can get your record. In most cases, you have options that do not require a visit. If you have difficulty locating a phone number for another Recorder, you may call us or go to this useful directory created by the California Department of Public Health.

If an injury permanently prevents an employee from returning to his or her usual and customary occupation, he or she may be eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation benefits if the injury occurred prior to January 1, 2004. If the injury occurred on or after 1/1/04, the employee may be eligible for Supplemental Job Displacement Benefit. WCS or Supplemental Job Displacement Benefit will advise the employee of his or her potential eligibility. Interested employees may contact Claudette Smith at (661) 868-3866 for assistance in exploring modified or alternative work.

Discuss the perceived need with the Workers' Compensation claims adjuster handling your claim. The adjuster will make the determination.

A tagger is a person, often an adolescent, who defaces property with graffiti.

Any time an employee loses one day or more from work because of a work injury, call the County of Kern's Workers' Compensation Services to report the lost time to avoid delays in claims processing or in providing disability payments.

A permit is not required for the following:

• One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed one hundred twenty (120) square feet.
• Fences not over seven (7) feet high.
• Movable cases, counters and partitions not over five foot nine inches (5′ 9″) feet high.
• Retaining walls not over four (4) feet high measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall and not supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II, or III-A liquids. Contact your local Building Official for walls retaining soils in close proximity of the property line.
• Water tanks supported directly on grade if the capacity does not exceed five thousand (5000) gallons and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed two to one (2:1).
• Platforms, walks or driveways not more than thirty (30) inches above grade and not over any basement or story below. Contact your local Building Official if the walks or platforms are accessible to the public.
• Painting, papering and similar finish work.
• Temporary motion picture, television, and theater stage sets and scenery.
• Window awnings supported by an exterior wall of Group R-3 or U-1 Occupancy when projecting not more than fifty four (54) inches.
• Prefabricated swimming pools that are less than 24 inches (610 mm) deep.

You should receive your first Temporary Disability payment within 14 days.

You can get a boat permit at:

General Services Parks Division
1115 Truxtun Ave., 3rd Floor
Bakersfield, CA 93301

The concession stand at the Buena Vista Aquatic Recreation Area.

Any marina at Lake Isabella.

You will need to bring your current boat registration and drivers license. The fee is $60.00 for all Kern County lakes and $45.00 for Lake Isabella only.

You can purchase boat permits online.

If you live in the unincorporated area of Kern County, and you want to rent a trash bin or dumpster, private Trash Haulers are able to provide this service, under a County franchise agreement. Residential and Commercial customers within an incorporated city should contact their City for information on bin or dumpster rentals.

Find more information on the Trash Collection page.

Contact the Health Benefits Office at (661) 868-3182.

Reduced fare is a 50% discount on all general fares for Kern Transit. Reduced fare is available for passengers who are 62 years of age or older, disabled, or youth grades K-12. To receive reduced fare, passengers must present proof of eligibility upon boarding the bus. Proof of eligibility must be presented to the driver at every boarding. For more information on reduced fare and how to apply, please view the Reduced Fare Application.

With the passage of Senate Bill 1383, recycling is no longer a voluntary action. Recycling of all materials, specifically organics, is now mandated by the State of California and shall be handled in a manner that constitutes recycling. This means all recyclable materials coming to a Kern County Public Works facility is required to be brought into the facility separated. We encourage you to continue to source separate your materials when visiting the landfill by placing them in designated areas.

Recyclable materials that are separated from the waste stream are processed into new products down the road. Whereas this is beneficial to all, in order to get these materials in a condition suitable for recycling and to an end market for use includes a series of steps – collection, handling, equipment processing, transferring, screening, transportation, composting, and many others. Each one of these steps in the recycling process comes at a significant cost.

You may be eligible to receive the Homeowners' Exemption of up to $7,000 of assessed value on a supplemental tax bill if the property you acquired was not already receiving the exemption on the annual tax bill and the property will be your principal place of residence.

New property owners are automatically sent a Homeowners' Exemption claim form, but the exemption is not automatically granted. To receive the full exemption, you must submit a claim to the Assessor's Office no later than the 30th day following the date of notice. An exemption for 80% of the full amount will be granted for a late claim if the claim is filed by the due date of the first tax installment.

The Homeowners' Exemption can only be applied to a supplemental assessment that is a net increase and results in a supplemental tax bill. It cannot be applied to a supplemental assessment lowering the value.

Yes. Tires are not accepted at the Glennville Transfer Station, Keene Transfer Station, Loraine-Twin Oaks Transfer Station, or any Bin Site.

Note: It is illegal to transport more than 9 tires, to a disposal site without a Waste Tire Hauler Registration from CalRecycle. Tires must be deflated if it still on the rim.

Detailed Acceptance and Handling Criteria

No, only a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service of the United States and received an other than dishonorable discharge, or, who served in a Guard or Reserve component and was mobilized for Federal Active Duty can obtain a DL/ID card with a Veteran designation.

No, a Veteran must submit a verification form from his or her CVSO to get a Veteran designation on a DL/ID.

As a Kern County resident, the only company you can call and pay to arrange for the pick-up of solid waste from your house is a franchise hauler. Contact the franchise hauler servicing your residence to discuss. If you are unaware of the hauler servicing your area, Kern County Public Works can assist in connecting you with a franchise hauler. Please see Section 5.36.040 of the Kern County Code of Ordinances for details.

FAQ items are created from the Manage FAQ screen (Site Content → Components A–I -→ FAQ).

When visiting our website, www.kerntransit.org, you will see a system map on the home page. Each route has a number and a destination. For example, if you are a Lamont resident looking to travel to Bakersfield, your route will be Route 140 Lamont – Bakersfield. That route will be the color purple on the system map. Click on the route on the map, and the website will redirect you to that schedule.

Look for the defendant by inmate number or name, using the Sheriff's Office Inmate Search.

The MPN is very encompassing. It is not anticipated that additional providers will be added to the list, except to replace providers that may be removed.

Make checks payable to County of Kern and mailed to:

Citation Processing Center
P. O. Box 7275
Newport Beach, CA 92658

Cash will be accepted in person at:

2700 “M” Street,
Bakersfield, CA 93301,
at the Cashier’s desk

VISA or Mastercard will be accepted online at www.citationprocessingcenter.com or by phone at 1 (800) 989-6158.

The gate fee for solid waste brought to a Kern County waste facility from outside of Kern County, excluding wastes for which a special rate or charge may apply, is $95.89 per ton. A transfer fee of $10.65 per ton will also apply if the out of County waste is brought to a transfer station.

Temporary Disability is paid every two weeks..

Note “WC” for time claimed for the injury. You will receive an Employee Profile from the Benefit Services Office for each temporary disability check sent to the injured employee so that your department knows which time period is being covered by Workers’ Compensation.

You first need to obtain a court order to release the record. Then send your request with a certified copy of the court order and $25 per copy payable to "CDPH Vital Records" in check or money order to:

CA Dept of Public Health
Vital Records - MS 5103
Sacramento, CA 95899-7410

Yes. If you have received a subpoena from both the prosecution and the defense, you must appear unless both sides release you from the subpoenas.

The County Ordinance Codes can also be obtained online or from the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, located at 1115 Truxtun Avenue, 5th Floor. Their phone number is (661) 868-3585.

You will not need to provide another verification form, because your Veteran status will already be on your DMV record.

Yes, you will receive an email telling you the problem and will have the opportunity to resubmit your form.

No. A Fictitious Business Name statement expires 5 years from the date it was filed in the office of the County Clerk. A renewal statement must be filed before the expiration date.

Yes, it is generally felt that elder abuse is increasing and will continue to increase as the older adult population grows in our nation. This is primarily due to the vulnerability of the aged, the unlikelihood of the crime being reported and the access to financial resources.

Yes, the Workers Compensation Services department can answer your questions. They can be reached at:

Workers Compensation Services
County of Kern
1115 Truxtun Avenue, 4th Floor
Bakersfield, CA 93301
(661)868-3801

Additional Workers' Compensation Contacts

No, if you are related to anyone on the ballot or working on any campaign you will have to wait until the next election.

Prompt removal of graffiti is the key to preventing repeat attempts. After a few weeks, the taggers will lose interest in defacing your property with graffiti.

While the County does its best to remove graffiti promptly, you may have better results removing the graffiti yourself. If you wish to clean it up yourself:

• If you want the County to provide the materials and training, join our Adopt a Wall program.
• If you want to do it without involving the County, you may want to view the graffiti removal tips page.

Vocational Rehabilitation Services has two (2) primary functions*:

• Providing a safe and healthy environment in which employees can work; and
• Returning disabled employees to work in accordance with applicable policies and statutory guidelines, as appropriate.

* For both work-related and non-work-related disabilities.

Vocational Rehabilitation Professionals have background and experience in job modification, rehabilitation, and return to work planning for people with disabilities. Assistance is provided to managers, supervisors, and disabled employees seeking ways to overcome disability-related limitations. Most disabled employees can continue working if proper accommodations are made.

As described in the Guidelines above:

• At least 34% to cover payroll related costs (group health care benefits, retirement benefits, payroll taxes)
• Up to 33% for general working capital.
• Up to 33% for rent, mortgage interest, and utilities.

Loan proceeds may be used to pay employees a premium wage as an incentive for rehiring and retaining employees so long as the premium hourly wage does not exceed 15% of that employee's hourly wage immediately prior to May 15, 2020.

Loan proceeds may not be used to pay sole proprietors more per week than their average weekly net Schedule C profit for calendar year 2019.

• The Grand Jury is sworn to secrecy and complete confidentiality as it pertains to complaints, witnesses, or content of investigative matters.
• The Grand Jury may not disclose any information they receive within the confines of the jury or the identity of anyone appearing before them, unless permission is given.
• Grand Jury investigations and interviews are protected by law.
• Grand Jury records may not be inspected nor subpoenaed.
• All hearings pertaining to criminal cases are conducted in complete secrecy regardless of their outcome.

Household Hazardous Wastes are chemical products, purchased for use in or around the home, that when discarded, may threaten human health or the environment if improperly disposed. Check out the Household Hazardous Waste page for examples and to find the Household Hazardous Waste Collection opportunity nearest you.

It can take up to ninety (90) days from the date you reported the injury to your supervisor for Workers' Compensation Services to make a decision on your claim. During this time, workers' compensation disability benefits will not be paid. During this time, you may be eligible to receive benefits under other disability plans. Contact the Health Benefits Office at (661) 868-3182, to inquire into filing for other disability benefits.

The Planning Commission meets the second and fourth Thursdays of the month at 7:00 p.m. (During holiday seasons the Commission will not have a meeting). For complete listings of "live" broadcast and rebroadcast scheduling go to the page.

Planning Commission Agenda, Minutes, and Video

A building permit is required for any construction which physically changes or adds structures to your property or for work regulated by local Codes or Ordinances, such as:

• New Buildings
• Additions-Room additions, patio covers, swimming pools, etc.
• Alterations-Re-roofs, garage conversions, exterior stucco, new
• Repairs-Replacement of water heaters or other plumbing fixtures, air conditioning units, new electrical service, and rewiring, etc.
• Moving or Demolishing a building.
• Installation of heating equipment, such as stoves, wall heaters and fireplaces.

Information for commercial and residential waste and recycling handling guidelines throughout Kern County can be found in our Recycling Portal. This Recycling Portal is designed to provide Kern County residents and businesses with information on reuse and recycling options available throughout the county.

All residents living within the County of Kern have a variety of choices for trash disposal:

The Disposal Sites section provides a complete overview of Landfills, Transfer Stations, and Bins Sites.

Contact Brad Aragon, Loss Prevention Specialist, at (661) 868-3880.

Your Claims Administrator at Workers' Compensation Services, (661) 868-3801, will call you to discuss your injury and to explain the workers' compensation benefits and procedures in detail.

No. It won't make a difference because the County and the City both have an equal obligation to satisfy State requirements to approve the construction of a minimum number of low and moderate income housing units within their jurisdictions.

Disposal Sites may experience a closure due to inclement weather such as snow, rain or high winds. Closures will be posted at www.kerncountywaste.com or you may call the Public Works Department at (661) 862-8900 or (800) 552-Kern, to inquire about closures.

Yes, applicants under the age of 17 cannot obtain a DL/ID card with a Veteran designation. DMV also cannot issue a DL/ID card with a Veteran designation for an applicant who does not present an acceptable Veteran verification form completed by a a CVSO.

Margo A. Raison is the County Counsel and her name appears on all the documents filed by anyone in the office. The person most familiar with your case is usually the one who signed the document. That person's name appears beneath Ms. Raison's name at the top of the document, and beneath the signature itself. If you believe you must speak with someone regarding your matter, that is the person to whom you should speak with first. If you wish to speak to Ms. Raison, you may contact her at (661) 868-3810.

No. The Kern County Clerk issues marriage licenses. You may call that office at (661) 868-3588.

The general information number for the County is 661-868-3140; for the City, it is 661-326-3000.

You can find a listing of County and City Departments with their direct phone numbers on the LAFCo contacts page. On that page there are also links to contact information for both County Supervisors and City Council Members.

We encourage all businesses to establish a gate fee account with Kern County Public Works. This makes your trip to the landfill or transfer station easy, fast, and simple. Complete and submit the Gate Fee Account Application via either the online or paper version today. Payments options at Kern County Public Works facilities include gate fee accounts, check, Visa, Mastercard, or cash.

Contact the Social Security Administration to apply for SSI. The telephone number is 1 (800) 772-1213. Their website.

The Department of Human Services is where you apply for Medi-Cal. The telephone number for Bakersfield is (661) 631-6807. There are also several regional offices. You may call us for the telephone numbers. More information.

Any person disputing the issuance of an administrative citation may contest the citation by completing a request for hearing form and returning the form within fifteen (15) days from the date of the issuance of the administration citation. The initial appeal is handled by Revenue Experts, Inc. not the County of Kern. The County’s ordinance requires citations be paid even if the citizen wishes to appeal. Appeals are usually held at the Public Services building, however, citizens may also request a hearing be conducted via the telephone.

The Appeal Forms may be obtained:

• Online Appeal Forms
• By calling Code Compliance at (661) 862-8603 and ask them to mail an Appeal form to your home (the mail time will cut into your 15 day response time)
• By picking up at the Public Services building located at 2700 “M” Street, Bakersfield at the Customer Service Center

If paying the penalty in advance causes a financial hardship the citizen may complete a “Hardship Waiver Request.” The form must be submitted to Revenue Experts within ten (10) days from the date the citation was issued. The Department issuing the citation will review the citizen’s request and the decision of the department is final.

Failure of the citizen to appear at the administrative citation hearing shall constitute a forfeiture of the fine and be deemed a failure to exhaust administrative remedies.

Within ten (10) days of the conclusion of the hearing, the hearing officer will provide the citizen with a written decision. A decision in favor of the citizen shall constitute a dismissal of the administrative penalty and the County shall return any monies paid.

If the hearing officer renders a decision in favor of the County, the citizen must comply with the administrative order, including payment of any administrative penalty, or seek review under Section 8.54.100.

A citizen, who is subject to an administrative order issued by a hearing officer pursuant to Section 8.54.090, may contest the administrative order by filing an appeal with the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors. The appeal must be filed within seven (7) days from service of the administrative order. The Board of Supervisors may reverse, affirm wholly or partly, or modify the administrative order.

Any person who contests the final administrative order may seek judicial review of the order by filing an appeal with the Superior Court.

The complete Amended “Section 2. Chapter 8.54 of the Ordinance Code” can be found here.

The Veteran designation can be removed from your DL/ID card in a DMV field office by completing Driver License or Identification Card Application (DL 44) or Commercial Driver License Application (DL 44C) and indicating that you would like the Veteran designation removed. A person can request to remove the veteran designation from his or her DL/ID in a DMV field office. The application for a DL/ID has a box a person can mark requesting the designation to be removed. The fee to remove the veteran designation, depends on what type of DL/ID the person has. A replacement or renewal fee for the type of DL/ID would apply.

To report a pothole or damaged roadway, use our online reporting application.

You can report suspected public assistance benefits fraud one of two ways:

• By email at investigation@kernda.org
• Or anonymously by phone at 661-633-7283

The individual recipient and care provider must complete, sign, and date time sheets verifying delivery of the authorized hours of service. The California Department of Social Services issues the checks for provider payments, twice per month.

Aging & Adult Services Care Provider Menu

After reporting your injury, WCS should contact you within ten days at the very latest, usually much sooner.

Contact the attorney handling the case. Sometimes a witness may be placed "on call," if he or she is able to appear in court within 30 minutes to an hour of a telephone call telling them to come to court. Such arrangements must be made no later than the day before the date stated on the subpoena.

We encourage you to talk to your gardening service directly and request that your residential curbside green container be utilized to its fullest capacity first before green waste is removed from your property. Additional green wastes and organics that require hauling off from your property, that does not fit in your green container, may result in additional fees from your service provider.

es, you can call the local Information & Assistance Officer at (661)395-2514 or the State Division of Workers' Compensation, at 1-800-736-7401.

No, the CA driver license/CA ID card is issued by the DMV, in addition to any renewal/replacement fees. The Veterans ID Card is issued by Veterans Service Department and is free. More information on the Veterans ID Card is available in the above section.

However, both cards serve a similar purpose in that they provide proof of honorable service in the United States military so that a veteran no longer has to carry a copy of military discharge papers to receive certain benefits such as veterans discounts at local businesses.

No, if you are working on any campaign for any item or person on the ballot you will have to wait until the next election.

If an employee has filed a claim, he or she can ask his or her Workers' Compensation Services Claims Administrator at (661) 868-3801. Employees can also visit the Vocational Rehabilitation pages on this web site.

You can find fee information on the County Clerk's Office website.

Graffiti supplies:

• It is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to purchase spray paint.
• Any person under the age of 18 caught with marking pens, spray paint cans, tips may be arrested.
• Retailers will be held liable if they sell spray paint to a minor or fail to keep all spray paint in locked cabinets

Possible consequences for juveniles caught tagging:

• Juvenile Hall – 4 months to 1 Year
• Restitution payments of $100 - $1,000+
• Probation
• If convicted - loss of driver's license

Report any suspected elder or dependent abuse. It only has to be suspected and not proven before reporting. Your identity as a reporting party will be kept confidential unless you choose to release that information. Elder Abuse will continue without your help by reporting suspected abuse.

You may always contact your claims adjuster or the MPN Contact as listed above or you may check the MPN website. Contact are also available at the CA Division of Workers' Compensation.

• DWC information and assistance officer: If you have concerns, complaints or questions regarding the MPN, the notification process, or your medical treatment after a work-related injury or illness, you can call the Information and Assistance Officer at the division of Workers’ Compensation at 1-800-736-7401.

• Independent Medical Review: If you have questions about the Independent Medical Review process or the Independent Medical Reviewer, you may contact the Division of Workers’ Compensation Medical Unit at:

  P.O. Box 8888
  San Francisco, CA 94128-8888
  (650) 737-2700 or (800) 794-6900

The following oath is administered to Grand Jurors:

"I do solemnly swear (affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States and of the State of California, and all laws made pursuant to and in conformity therewith, will diligently inquire into, and true presentment make, of all public offenses against the people of this state, committed or triable within this county, of which the grand jury shall have or can obtain legal evidence. Further, I will not disclose any evidence brought before the grand jury, nor anything which I or any other grand juror may say, nor the manner in which I or any other grand juror may have voted on any matter before the grand jury. I will keep the charge that will be given to me by the court."

(Section 911, Penal Code, Amended June 2, 1983)

Contact the Health Benefits Office at (661) 868-3182. You may be eligible for benefits under other disability plans.

You can temporarily replace an injured employee according to personnel policies and collective bargaining agreements. An injured employee who is on pay status (full pay or Extended Sick Leave) cannot be medically separated.

TD payments end when you return to work, or your medical condition stabilizes.

The eight (8) hours of paid time off will appear in your balances on Pay Period 2021-02, February 9, 2021.

The Kern County Ordinance No. G-9083 can be viewed here. The ordinance includes all gate fees. You may also visit our Disposal Sites webpage for additional information on disposal site locations, transfer station locations, hours of operation, and what is and what is not accepted.

The County operates three permanent Hazardous Waste Facilities and conducts several one-day collection events for the disposal of Hazardous Waste. Check the Hazardous Waste section for the opportunity nearest you. Visit the Business Hazardous Waste page fore more information.

A building permit is required by law and is intended to protect life and property.

When you obtain a building permit, you have the comfort of knowing that your project is being reviewed and inspected by qualified personnel who are trained and experienced in this line of work.

Most projects begin with a plan review before a permit is issued. A large majority of potential problems are discovered at this stage and resolved before the project even begins. This saves unnecessary construction delays, time, and money, as opposed to discovering the errors in the field after materials are delivered and/or installed.

During the construction of your project, an experienced building inspector performs periodic inspections to verify the work is properly completed and meets code requirements. The inspector may also be able to provide suggestions or recommendations since they, most likely, have experienced similar situations in the past!

Plan review and inspection fees for building permits are nominal and are a small price to pay when you consider the alternatives. Wouldn’t you rest assured knowing that your construction project was approved by experts?

While the reasons are varied, the frustration is the same. Missed pick-ups are frustrating for both the customer and the Trash hauler.

If you live in the unincorporated area of Kern County and your trash was not picked up, contact the private Franchise Trash Hauler contracted to provide this service.

Residential and Commercial customers, within an incorporated City, should contact their City to determine why trash was not picked up.

Find more information on the Trash Collection page.

If you intend to sell—or lease—tangible property that would ordinarily be subject to sales tax, a seller's permit is required. You can find more information on the California Department of Taxes and Fees website.

County Job Postings can be found on the Job Board.

Engineering jobs will look like this if there are any positions needing to be filled.

Sample image below.

Grouping FAQ Items is done by assigning your FAQ items to a category. From the Manage FAQ screen (Site Content → Components A–I → FAQ), click on Categories to see the list of existing categories. Contact ITS if you need a new FAQ category.

To report a malfunctioning traffic signal or streetlight, use our online reporting application.

To report a missing or damaged street sign, use our online reporting application.

To report illegal dumping in the County, please call 661-862-8891.

To report illegal dumping in Metro-Bakersfield, please call 661-326-3114.

Call the Traffic Division at (661) 862-5100 during regular business hours or use our online reporting application. We will investigate and make any necessary improvements. You can also contact the California Highway Patrol and ask for increased enforcement.

If you are having trouble reading or understanding our online schedule, please call 1-800-323-2396 and press option #1. Someone will be more than happy to help answer any questions and help you plan your trip.

Before Injury (Prevention) – If you have any questions, or would like to discuss your individual situation, you can contact Brad Aragon of the County Safety Program at (661) 868-3855.

After Injury – Report the injury to your supervisor, and contact Workers' Compensation Services at (661) 868-3801.

Use of the Internet is restricted according to existing law.

If you would like to order a certified copy of a birth, marriage, or death certificate from Kern County over the Internet using a major credit card, visit the VitalChek website.