April 25, 2023 — Kings County Board of Supervisors
Documented by Josef Sibala
Here’s what you need to know:
- During the meeting, the Kings County Board of Supervisors approved an agreement with Kings Partnership for Prevention to establish, facilitate and support the Kings County Health Equity Advisory Panel per the California Equitable Recovery Initiative requirements effective upon execution through June 30, 2024.
- The board adopted a resolution proclaiming the week of May 6-12 National Nurses Week to recognize and show support for its local nurses and the positive impact they have on the community.
- The board adopted a resolution proclaiming April 26 Denim Day in Kings County to honor sexual assault survivors and victims.
Follow-up questions:
- How will the county implement the Kings Partnership for Prevention?
The Scene
According to its website, Kings County is a “general law” county, meaning the state constitution and 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 in a nonpartisan manner 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, April. 25, 2023, the meeting was held at 9 a.m. in the board chambers at 1400 West Lacey Blvd. in Administration Building No. 1 in Hanford.
Kings County County Board of Supervisors members present:
- Joe Neves, District 1 (Lemoore and Stratford)
- Doug Verboon, District 3 (North Hanford, Island District and North Lemoore)
- Rusty Robinson, District 4 (Armona and Hanford)
Kings County County Board of Supervisors members absent
- Richard Valle, District 2 (Avenal, Corcoran, Home Garden & Kettleman City)
- Richard Fagundes, District 5 (Hanford and Burris Park)
Others Present:
- Assistant County Administrative Officer Kyria Martinez
- Administrative Officer Analyst Domingo Cruz
- Assessor/Clerk/Recorder Kristine Lee
- Public Works Director Dominic Tyburski
- Public Health Director Rose Mary Rahn
- Kings County Public Guardian and Veterans Service Officer Scott Holwell
- Diane Badasci
- Cassie Bakker
- Jay Wood
- Sarah Poots
- Lupe
- Chuck Kinney
- J Eckles
- Wendy Osikafo
- Monica Connor
- Rob Knudson
- Tyler Pepe
- A. Valenzuela
- Bill Lynch
- Mjewell
- Melissa Kevorkian
- Eldrick W.
- John Bsmajian Criscom
- T. Hommerding
- Katie Arnst
- Sarah Hacker
Discussions/Actions
Kings County Public Guardian and Veterans Service Officer Scott Holwell announced the unveiling of the “Five Pillars of Freedom” in Corcoran on April 29. Five 12-foot statues will be dedicated to veterans in the city’s Gateway Park
Sarah Hacker said the county has a difficult time hiring employees as a result of the competitive pay in other counties.
The board (3-0) took the following actions::
A. Reported out of closed session from the regular meeting on April 18.
B. Approved the minutes from the regular meeting for April 18.
In the consent calendar, the board (3-0) unanimously approved items as follows:
A. Public Health Department:
1. The board approved an agreement with Kings Partnership for Prevention to establish, facilitate and support the Kings County Health Equity Advisory Panel per the California Equitable Recovery Initiative requirements, effective upon execution through June 30, 2024. The initiative aims to support communities facing inequities in COVID-19 infection and effects.
As part of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Act of 2021, the CDC awarded the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) a portion of the National Initiative to Address COVID-19 Health Disparities Among Populations at High-Risk and Underserved grant.
The CDC expects state public health agencies to use available funds to address the impact of COVID-19 and advance health equity. CDPH subsequently awarded $421,620 to the Kings County Department of Public Health (KCD).
The agreement amount is $100,000 and will be paid under the department’s Health Grants budget. The department will increase appropriations in Contractual Services by $100,000 and decrease appropriations in the Special Departmental account 92063 by $100,000.
Regular agenda items are as follows:
A. Public Health Department
1. The board (3-0) adopted a resolution proclaiming May 6-12 National Nurses Week.
National Nurses Week is an annual event that celebrates and honors the contributions of nurses to the health care industry. The weeklong celebration is held from May 6-12 each year, with May 12 being designated as International Nurses Day.
The first National Nurses Week was observed in the United States in 1954, marking the 100th anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s mission to Crimea, where she worked tirelessly to improve the care of wounded soldiers.
Nightingale is widely considered the founder of modern nursing, and her work during the Crimean War helped establish nursing as a respected profession.
Since then, National Nurses Week has been celebrated to coincide with the birthday of Florence Nightingale.
By joining this national event, the county recognizes and shows its support for local nurses and the positive impact they’ve had on the community.
B. Administration
1. The board (3-0) adopted a resolution proclaiming April 26 as Denim Day in Kings County.
During April 23-29 the Kings County District Attorney’s Office’s Victim Witness Assistance Program will observe National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.
This weeklong event honors victims’ rights to increase public awareness and knowledge about the many rights and services that are available to people who have been victimized by crime.
It also promotes assistance for victims and seeks to foster empathy for crime victims, and it honors those who advocate on their behalf.
In addition to that, and during that week, Peace Over Violence has declared April 26 “Denim Day” where everyone is encouraged to wear denim in honor of sexual assault survivors and victims.
Each year, communities throughout the United States, including Kings County, gather to honor victims, celebrate survivors and recognize the individuals, agencies and organizations dedicated to supporting victims and victim services.
“Denim Day” was declared in 1999 by Peace Over Violence, to be observed on the last Wednesday of April each year, after outrage was sparked when a rapist’s conviction was overturned by the Italian Parliament.
The rapist claimed there was consent, arguing he could not have raped the victim without the victim’s help in freeing her from her tight denim jeans. Other countries later joined Italy in solidarity by observing Denim Day.
The meeting ended at 1 p.m. The next board meeting will be on Tuesday, May 2 at 9 a.m.
If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at fresnodocs@fresnoland.org with “Correction Request” in the subject line.