Aug. 1, 2023 — Kings County Board of Supervisors
Documented by Josef Sibala
What happened: At the Tuesday meeting, Alex Walker of the county’s Administration Department gave supervisors an overview of Kings County’s growth and benefits. Unemployment has risen by about 2%, according to the latest figures from May 2023, to 8%, much higher than that of the national average rate of 3.4%.
Last May the unemployment rate in the county was 6.2%. Some 51,350 workers were employed in Kings County. Over the next year, employment in Kings County is expected to expand by about 424 jobs. The fastest-growing sector in the region is expected to be mining. quarrying and oil and gas extraction with a 2.7% year-over-year rate of growth.
The average worker earned an annual wage of $53,398 as of the fourth quarter of 2022, a 2.1% increase over the previous four quarters, Walker said. Still, the amount earned is much lower than the nation’s annual average wage of $68,838 as of the fourth quarter of 2022.
The Fresno Bee reported that unemployment in Fresno County held steady in June, but it’s higher than a year ago. Fresno County’s unemployment rate of 7.5% hovered about 2.6 percentage points higher than California’s statewide rate.
In Tulare County the unemployment rate was 10.1%, the third highest among California’s 58 counties. 191,400 people were employed, down 1.6% from May.
Flood water contamination: The board (3-1) ratified the county health officer’s continuing declaration of a local health emergency as a result of flood water contamination and vector-borne illness issued on July 27, 2023. Supervisor Richard Valle opted to vote no, saying he had spoken to farmers, who said there was no contamination. However, Public Health Director Rose Mary Rahn pointed out that the resolution applies to the potential contamination for high e coli, coliform and fecal content.
And also: Deputy District Attorney Kevin Cook urged the county to adopt competitive pay rates to retain District Attorney’s Office staff to staunch the flow of recent resignations.
Cook said that the prosecutors in other nearby counties had been promised less work, flexibility, work-from-home options and pay. He suggested the county follow the example of Tulare County, where experienced attorneys were promoted and given raises.
Deputy District Attorney Rigor Mangian said that by mid-August the department will have 10 active prosecutors. He lobbied for retention and recruitment.
Up next: The Kings County Board of Supervisors will meet again on Tuesday, Aug. 8.
