Here’s what you need to know:
- According to Assistant Fire Chief Josh Cunningham, the Fire Department has contained 55 percent of the McKinney Fire, covering 60,389 acres.
- Public Health Director Rose Mary Rahn announced that Covid cases dropped in the last two weeks from 1,244 to 838 cases.
- The supervisors voted to keep development impact fees the same, rather than increasing them by 12.61% based on the percentage change in the Engineering News-Record Construction Cost Index.
- The supervisors approved the Final Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Kings County Budget.
The Scene
According to its website, Kings County is a “general law” county, which means the state Constitution and State General Law determine the county’s governmental structure.
The Board of Supervisors is the governing body for Kings County and many county special districts. Each of the board’s five members is elected non-partisan to a four-year term.
The board sets policies and depends on the county administrator, county officials, and department heads to fulfill its wishes.
The Board of Supervisors has administrative, legislative, and quasi-judicial duties and responsibilities prescribed by the California State Constitution and Statutes.
On Tuesday, August. 9, 2022, the meeting was held at 9 a.m. in the Board Chambers, located at 1400 West Lacey Boulevard Administration Building No. 1 Hanford, California.
Kings County County Board of Supervisors Members present:
- Joe Neves, District 1 (Lemoore & Stratford)
- Richard Valle, District 2 (Avenal, Corcoran, Home Garden & Kettleman City)
- Doug Verboon, District 3 (North Hanford, Island District & North Lemoore)
- Craig Pedersen, District 4 (Armona & Hanford)
- Richard Fagundes, District 5 (Hanford & Burris Park)
Others Present:
- Fire Chief William Lynch
- Assistant Fire Chief Josh Cunningham
- Community Development Director Chuck Kinney
- County Administrative Officer Edward Hill
- Assistant County Administrative Officer Kyria Martinez
- Administrative Officer Analyst Domingo Cruz
- Public Health Director Rose Mary Rahn
- Public Health Assistant Director Everardo Legaspi
- James Brownyard from the Building Association of Tulare and Kings County
- Diane Badasci
- Monica Connor
- Claire Fitiausi
- Cassie Bakker
- Chanda Jackson
- Elizabeth Gazarele
- Sean Cash
- Jay Wood
- Sarah Harp
- Wendy Osikafo
- Rob Knudson
- Tony Afonso
- John Criscom
- Rebekah Bell
- Sheila Grant
- Lance Lippincott
- Christine Olvera
- Abraham Valentino
- Clarissa Ravelo
- Scott Holwell
- John Devlin
Discussions/Actions
Rebecca Bell raised the conflict of interest between Vidovich and Boswell, board members deciding on water and owning water rights.
According to Assistant Fire Chief Josh Cunningham, the Fire Department has contained 55 percent of the McKinney Fire, covering 60,389 acres.
He announced that the department had created the lateral transfer position for Fire Apparatus Engineer.
The board (5-0) unanimously approved the minutes from the regular meeting for August 2, 2022.
In the consent calendar, the board (5-0) unanimously approved items as follows:
A. Behavioral Health Department:
- The board (5-0) approved the agreement with the Judge Rotenberg Educational Center Incorporated for residential treatment program services, effective from April 1, 2021, through June 30, 2023.
B. Administration:
- a. The board (5-0) designated Sarah Poots, Risk Manager, as the representative for Kings County to the Board of Directors for the Public Risk Innovation, Solutions, and Management;
b. The board (5-0) designated Edward D. Hill, County Administrative Officer, as the designated alternate for Kings County.
- a. The board (5-0) approved the agreement with the Armona Community Services District for residential customer utility arrears
b. The board (5-0) approved the Kettleman City Community Services District Agreement for residential customer utility arrears.
Regular agenda items are as follows:
A. Community Development Agency (presented by Community Development Director Chuck Kinney)
1. The board accepted the monthly report of the Planning Commission’s actions from their August 1, 2022 meeting.
The applicant proposes establishing Utica Ave Solar, a utility-scale photovoltaic solar facility with a generating capacity of 3 MW, including battery storage, to be constructed on approximately 29 acres of Assessor’s Parcel Number 048-030-050.
The project comprises the northern portion of a 40-acre parcel which is currently divided from APN 048-030-050 (151.5 acres) through a separate application In Lieu Parcel Map No. 22-02.
B. Fire Department (presented by Fire Chief William Lynch)
1. The board (5-0) approved the Agreement for fire services with the City of Avenal retroactively, effective from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023.
On June 30, 2022, the most recent agreement for fire services with the City of Avenal expired.
The County and the City of Avenal have agreed on new terms for fire services.
Under the proposed agreement, the term of the County’s duty to provide fire services to the City of Avenal shall be one (1) year, commencing on July 1, 2022.
The City of Avenal shall pay the Kings County Fire Department $400,000 for the 2022-2023 fiscal year.
The City of Avenal shall pay the annual sum due in equal quarterly payments on September 30, December 31, March 31, and June 30 of each fiscal year, which is to be deposited into Budget Unit 241000, Account 81540010: Cities-City of Avenal.
C. Human Resources Department (presented by Carolyn Leist)
- The board (5-0) retroactively approved the Agreement with NFP Retirement, Inc. for administrative services for the County’s Deferred Compensation Plan, effective from January 1, 2019, through December 31, 2024.
- a. The board (5-0) authorized the Human Resources Director to sign the side letter Agreements with the Blue Collar Unit, Deputy Sheriffs Association, Detentions Deputy Association, Firefighters Association, General Unit, Probation Officers Association, Prosecutors Association, and Supervisors Unit for a 3% cost-of-living increase effective December 26, 2022 (Pay Period 01-2023);
b. The board (5-0) approved a 3 percent cost-of-living increase for unrepresented management, including department heads, appointed department heads, and elected officials (Assessor/ClerkRecorder, District Attorney, and Sheriff) effective December 26, 2022 (Pay Period 01-2023);
c. Approve the Salary Resolution, which reflects the salary changes as recommended.
The County is authorized to implement a Deferred Compensation Plan under the Internal Revenue Code and has instituted a 457 Plan for its employees.
The County has contracted with NFP Retirement, Inc., formerly known as SST Benefits Consulting, since October 2001 to provide consulting services to the Deferred Compensation Oversight Committee.
NFP assists with the administration of the Plan, including, but not limited to, investment options, investment performance evaluation, requests for proposals from third-party plan providers, and other matters related to the Plan.
The Deferred Compensation Committee was informed during their last meeting on May 23, 2022, that the County’s prior agreement with NFP had expired and that a retroactive agreement would need to be taken to the Board of Supervisors to allow for continued services.
The Committee recommended that Human Resources bring this Agreement to the Board at the earliest date possible before the Committee’s next meeting scheduled in September.
The Cost Proposal Summary is provided in Exhibit A of the Agreement, which provides the various service options that can be selected as recommended by the Committee.
The Committee also recommends training for Committee members due to their fiduciary responsibility. It will, in subsequent years, consider a Comprehensive Compliance Audit and update our plan, monitoring vendor performance, etc.
D. Public Health Department – (presented by Public Health Director Rose Mary Rahn and Assistant Director Everardo Legaspi)
- a. The board (4-1) retroactively approved Agreement No. 004-2022 with Valley Voices for COVID-19 education and prevention services, effective from July 1, 2022, to December 31, 2022.
b. The board (4-1) authorized the Director of Public Health to amend the Agreement for non-substantive and non-financial contractual changes without requiring further board approval.
On August 6th, 2021, Kings County’s Purchasing Manager approved Purchasing Service Agreement 004-2022 with Valley Voices.
The agreement was in response to the surge amongst Kings County residents testing positive for COVID-19 and the increase in hospitalizations because of the virus.
On September 28, 2021, the board approved Amendment I to Board Agreement No.21-126, extending the term of the Agreement by nine months to June 30, 2022, and increasing the maximum compensation by $362,876, to an amount of $412,328, to expand services.
On July 26, 2022, the board directed the term of the new Agreement with Valley Voices to be modified from a 12-month agreement retroactive to July 1, 2022, to a six-month agreement retroactive to July 1 2022, ending on December 31, 2022.
The board additionally requested that the Kings County Department of Public Health (KCDPH) utilize the competitive bidding process, via a Request For Proposals, for any services after December 31, 2022.
On July 28, 2022, a Sole Source justification was approved by Purchasing Manager Evan Jones to waive the competitive bidding process for KCDPH to work with Valley Voices for COVID-19 case investigation and prevention services.
This change required a modification to the services provided by the Agreement.
The primary focus of the agreement is to provide vital prevention services in mitigating the spread of the virus.
Valley Voices has been a significant partner to KCDPH and has been crucial in the efforts to decrease the spread of COVID-19 in Kings County.
The item requests the authorization of the Director of Public Health to amend the Agreement for non-substantive changes and non-financial contractual changes due to evolving response needed for COVID-19 preventative services.
The agreement’s primary focus shifts from case investigation to other prevention services intended to prevent the spread of the virus.
The agreement includes COVID-19 testing, COVID-19 vaccine events, and other community outreach and education services.
Since November 2021, Valley Voices has provided COVID-19 self-administered tests to over 700 residents at their popup sites, with over 200 residents participating in their testing services in May 2022.
Valley Voices provides COVID-19 testing services Monday through Friday at KCDPH in Hanford, every Monday at Alma’s Flea Market, and other pop-up sites throughout Kings County.
In addition, Valley Voices has provided over 55 community outreach events, distributed over 23,000 at-home antigen COVID-19 tests, and hosted more than 30 COVID-19 vaccine events, resulting in over 2,640 vaccines being administered.
The Agreement also includes establishing a Promoter/Community Health Worker model network that will provide additional health education to the public.
The innovative model for community engagement highlights the role of grassroots and community leaders in engaging families to improve their lives by increasing awareness about factors that affect their health.
The program will serve disparate populations and promote health equity in neighborhoods and communities. The program’s initial training began in June of 2022.
The services listed are requirements of the Epidemiological and Laboratory Capacity grant, which the board has previously approved.
- Receive an update on the local emergency in Kings County due to the imminent and proximate threat of exposure to COVID-19 on the residents of the County of Kings and take action as deemed necessary.
Public Health Director Rose Mary Rahn announced that Covid cases dropped in the last two weeks from 1244 to 838 cases.
The majority of the samples in the County were Omicron BA-5 variants, which contributed to reinfections.
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), Kings County is in the “high” orange classification for community transmission.
She mentioned continued testing at 1362, with a 21.7 percent positivity rate. Local hospitalization remains at 22.
The Public Health Department continues to hand down random antigen tests to residents, businesses and agencies.
The Public Health Department recorded 1176 vaccinations were recorded in Kings County. An increasing number of families are seeking immunization for their children.
She urged residents to stay home when symptoms occur, wear masks in public places and receive the vaccine.
In early July, the Department identified one and two probable cases of the West Nile virus.
She encourages residents to use mosquito repellant, remove stagnant water and wear long sleeves.
She mentioned 20 cases of monkeypox in surrounding counties. However, the current risk to the public remains low.
The board conducted a public hearing on the following:
A. Administration (presented by County Administrative Officer Edward Hill and Assistant County Administrative Officer Kyria Martinez)
- The board (5-0) adopted the resolution approving the Final Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Kings County Budget.
Prop 172 increased to $1.2 million, and revenues increased 4.09% ($2.5 million)
Expenses include: Defense of the accused ($160,000), salaries/ benefits ($4.1 million), CalPERS ($1.6 million).
Future concerns include employee benefits (CalPERS), the labor market, recession, entitlement and benefit programs, and legislative changes.
Changes to the budget consist of:
- $6 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding
- Jail medical contract amendment
- HSA IHSS MOE increase
- $2 million was added for the Kettleman City bridge from Caltrans
- $450,000 Roads budget
- SB 81 increased actuals.
Hence, the 2022-23 final budget total expenditure of $423.81 million is divided into:
- Public Assistance- $125.89 million (29.71 percent)
- Public Safety- $117.54 million (27.73 percent)
- Health- $56.10 million (13.24 percent)
- All Other- $43.28 million (10.21 percent)
- General Government- $39.56 million (9.33 percent)
- Capital Projects- $19.36 million (4.57 percent)
- Public Transportation- $15.98 million (3.77 percent)
- Education/Recreation- $6.10 million (1.44 percent)
Hence, the 2022-23 final budget financing sources for $423.81 million are as follows:
- State/Federal- $230.26 million (54.33 percent)
- General Taxes- $67.30 million (15.88 percent)
- Fund Balance- $49.08 million (11.58 percent)
- Other Revenues- $48.55 million (11.46 percent)
- Charges for Services- $14.07 million (3.32 percent)
- Public Safety Sales Tax- $13.27 million (3.13 percent)
- Hazardous Waste Tax- $1.28 million (0.30 percent)
Hence, the 2022-23 final budget general fund expenditure of $327.33 million is divided into:
- Public Assistance- $121.95 million (37.26 percent)
- Public Safety- $106.7 million (32.6 percent)
- Health- $56.10 million (17.14 percent)
- All Other- $43.28 million (10.21 percent)
- General Government- $26.78 million (8.18 percent)
- Contingencies- $11.23 million (3.43 percent)
- Education/Recreation- $3.55 million (1.08 percent)
Hence, the 2022-23 final budget general fund financing sources for $327.33 million are as follows:
- State/Federal- $198.01 million (60.49 percent)
- General Taxes- $55.12 million (16.84 percent)
- Fund Balance- $19.23 million (5.87 percent)
- Other Revenues- $29.48 million (9.01% percent)
- Charges for Services/Fees- $ 13.3 million (4.06 percent)
- Public Safety Sales Tax- $10.92 million (3.34 percent)
- Hazardous Waste Tax- $1.28 million (0.39 percent)
Also, the 2022-23 final budget general fund expenditure of $327.33 million is divided into:
- Virtually no discretion- 274.28 million (84 percent)
- Discretionary- 53.05 million (16 percent)
B. Administration County Administrative Officer Edward Hill and Administrative Analyst Domingo Cruz)
- The board conducted a public hearing to receive testimony on development impact fees, which includes a construction schedule of public facilities and a proposed adjustment to the fees;
- The board adopted a Resolution that includes a construction schedule for public facilities as detailed within Ordinance No. 633 establishing development impact fees in Kings County;
- Select one of the following options regarding adjusting the development impact fees:
- Adjust the Development Impact Fee amounts based on the percentage change in the Engineering News-Record Construction Cost Index (a 12.61% increase), with the new fees effective October 10, 2022.
- Adjust the development impact fee amounts based on a percentage determined by the Board.
- Adopt no fee increase – impact fees will remain on October 18, 2019.
The Mitigation Fee Act, Government Code § 66000 et. seq. provides for the use of impact fees, also known as public facility fees, to offset the impact of growth on government facilities.
On June 21, 2005, the Board adopted Ordinance No. 633, Development Impact Fees.
James Brownyard, representing the Building Association of Tulare and Kings County, was concerned about the “high” DIF and the construction materials cost.
He recommended a new fee study and found the Consumer Price Index (CPI) of 6.8 acceptable.
The board (5-0) adopted no development impact fee increase (c.)
The meeting lasted until 1 p.m. The next board meeting will be on Tuesday, August 16, 2022, at 9 a.m.
If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at Documenters-admin@fresnoland.org with “Correction Request” in the subject line.