Documented by Josef Sibala
Here’s what you need to know:
- The Kings County Board of Supervisors approved the memorandum of understanding with the city of Hanford to initiate the annexation of six county islands substantially surrounded by Hanford, which comprises about 309 parcels.
- Due to impacts from the California High-Speed Rail project, the board authorized the transfer of high-speed rail mitigation funds of $1.9 million, which are necessary to update the Kings County General Plan and Development Code.
- The board approved the request to sell tax-defaulted property subject to the power of sale at a public internet auction and the authorization and sales report, which lists the properties.
- Sheriff David Robinson noted road construction in Stratford and Kettleman City regarding a bridge repair. He urged the county to propose local detour routes such as Laurel and 22nd avenues.
Follow-up questions:
- When will the county complete the update of the general plan?
- When will the county release alternative routes as a result of the road construction in Stradford and Kettleman City?
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 state constitution and statutes.
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)
- Richard Valle, District 2 (Avenal, Corcoran, Home Garden and Kettleman City)
- Rusty Robinson, District 4 (Armona and Hanford)
- Richard Fagundes, District 5 (Hanford and Burris Park)
- Doug Verboon, District 3 (North Hanford, Island District and North Lemoore)
Others present:
- County Administrative Officer Kyria Martinez
- Bob Henry of Chemical Waste Management
- Community Development Agency Chuck Kinney
- Finance Director Erik Ureña
- County Administrative Officer (CAO) Matthew Boyett
- Registrar of Voters Lupe Villa
- Sheriff David Robinson
Discussions/Actions
Villa said a special election for Congressional District 20 has been scheduled on March 19.
Robinson noted upcoming road construction in Stratford and Kettleman City regarding a bridge repair. Caltrans has released recommended routes that take people out of Kettleman City.
He urged the county to propose local routes such as Laurel and 22nd avenues.
A. The board (5-0) approved the minutes from the meeting of Jan 2. Fagundes abstained.
In the consent calendar, the board (5-0) unanimously approved items as follows:
A. County Counsel:
1. The board reappointed Helen Wells as a trustee of the Hanford Cemetery District to fill a vacant term of office that expires on Jan. 1, 2028.
B. Administration/Board of Supervisors:
1. The board appointed Monica Jackson to the Kings In-Home Supportive Services Advisory Committee.
2. The board appointed Francisco Ruiz to the Kings County Homelessness Collaborative
Regular agenda items were as follows:
A. Administration
1. The board (5-0) accepted the report from Chemical Waste Management.
Senior District Manager of Chemical Waste Management of the Kettleman Hills Facility (KHF) Bob Henry presented the report.
He noted that on Oct. 19, County Administrative Officer Martinez held a facility tour. On the same day, KHF held a public safety event regarding waste management.
On Oct. 26, Kings County Environmental Health Services inspected landfills B17 and B18 and at the KHF concluded there were no areas of concern.
On Oct. 27, the KHF was a sponsor for the Kettleman City Elementary School Annual Carnival.
On Dec. 14, Kings County Environmental Health Services inspected landfills B17 and B18 at the KHF, and concluded there were no areas of concern.
On Dec. 27, the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) at KHF inspected the drum storage unit, landfills and records, and concluded that there were no areas of concern.
On Jan. 17, KHF will be asking the San Joaquin Air Pollution Control District for an interim variance to postpone compliance with applicable flare emission limits of Rule 4311 until the existing low NOX flare is complete.
The KHF is working on landfill B19 and construction of B17 Phase C1. DTSC will complete a technical review regarding permitting, with a final decision in the third quarter of 2024.
B. Community Development Agency
1. a. The board (5-0) authorized the transfer of high-speed rail mitigation funds of $1.9 million, which are necessary to update the Kings County General Plan and Development Code.
b. The board authorized the release of a request for proposal to hire a consultant for services necessary to update the Kings County General Plan and Development Code.
According to the agenda packet report, the current Kings County General Plan was adopted by the Board of Supervisors on Jan. 26, 2010.
Following the approval of the general plan, the High-Speed Rail Authority considered multiple routes for the rail system, of which two routes were contemplated to run through Kings County.
Kinney said Kings County provided comments and feedback on the two possible routes during the High-Speed Rail Authority’s processing of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) document. However, those concerns still need to be addressed with the final approved environmental document adopted by the High-Speed Rail Authority.
Therefore, in June 2014, the county filed a CEQA lawsuit against the California High-Speed Rail Authority, citing impacts not addressed within the adopted CEQA document.
In August 2019, the Kings County Board of Supervisors authorized the chairman to execute a settlement agreement, cooperative agreement and ownership and maintenance agreement with the High-Speed Rail Authority, which included funds to be paid to the County of Kings to cover the costs associated with the relocation of Fire Station No. 4 and to update the general plan as a result of the impact of the high-speed rail project.
The high-speed rail project has progressed, with development in Kings County, and it is now possible to review the true land use impacts of the project and update the Kings County General Plan and Development Code.
C. Department of Finance
1. a. The board (5-0) approved the “Request to Sell Tax-Defaulted Property Subject to the Power of Sale” at a public Internet auction and the “Authorization and Report of Sales,” which lists the properties.
b. The board (5-0) authorized the assistant finance director to reduce the minimum bid price if no bids were received during the initial auction.
c. The board (5-0) approved the re-offer of unsold parcels at the same sale or next scheduled auction within 90 days, with notification to parties of interest.
According to the agenda packet report, the minimum bid for auctioned properties is set so that the county recovers the sale cost and can pay the delinquent taxes levied against the sold properties. Ureña said that the tax collector would recover an estimated $286,600 in taxes, fees, penalties and interest if all properties were sold at the sale for the minimum bids listed in the authorization report.
The board has the authority to either approve or disapprove the proposed sale or delete specific parcels and approve the sale of the remaining parcels.
Following approval, however, the board may not delete, withdraw or withhold properties from the public auction nor rescind its approval for sale. The next public internet auction via www.govease.com is tentatively scheduled for March 7.
2. a. The board (5-0) approved the “Request to Sell Tax-Defaulted Property Subject to the Power of Sale” at a sealed bid sale, and the “Authorization and Report of Sales,” which lists the properties;
b. The board (5-0) authorized the tax collector to reduce the minimum bid price if no bids are received.
c. The board (5-0) approved the re-offer of unsold parcels at the same sale or next scheduled auction within 90 days with parties of interest notification.
According to the agenda packet report, The minimum bid is set so that the county recovers the sale cost and pays outstanding delinquent taxes against the sold properties.
Ureña said that the tax collector has the authority to sell tax-defaulted property at public auction, which may be offered at a sealed bid price.
D. Administration
1. a. The board (5-0) appointed Verboon as delegate supervisor to the Rural County Representatives of California Board of Directors.
b. The board (5-0) appointed Robinson as alternate to the Rural County Representatives of California Board of Directors.
c. The board (5-0) appointed Verboon as delegate supervisor to the Golden State Finance Authority Board of Directors.
d. The board (5-0) appointed Robinson as alternate to the Golden State Finance Authority Board of Directors.
e. The board (5-0) appointed Verboon as delegate supervisor to the Golden State Connect Authority Board of Directors.
f. The board (5-0) appointed Robinson as alternate to the Golden State Connect Authority Board of Directors.
g. The board (5-0) appointed Verboon as delegate supervisor to the Rural Counties Environmental Services Joint Powers Authority Board of Directors.
h. The board (5-0) appointed Robinson as alternate to the Rural Counties Environmental Services Joint Powers Authority Board of Directors.
According to the agenda packet report, RCRC is a 39-member county organization that champions policies for California’s rural counties. In fiscal year 2023-24, membership dues for RCRC were $12,000, and for Rural Counties Environmental Services Joint Powers Authority was $6,000.
2. The board (5-0) approved the memorandum of understanding with the city of Hanford to initiate the annexation of six county islands substantially surrounded by Hanford.
According to the agenda packet report, the six-county islands, comprising about 309 parcels, had a combined property tax roll of about $539,400 for 2023, which includes about $4,037 in direct assessments.
From the $539,400 in billed property taxes, the county gets 1%, or $5,394. This 1% is then divided between several agencies in the county to get a portion of the 1% (cities, cemeteries, water agencies, school districts, etc.).
From this 1%, the county General Fund would get about 13.96% ($753), the Fire Fund would get about 6.38% ($344)and the Library Fund would get about 1.80% ($98).
Martinez said that if annexed, the city would receive about $154 of the General Fund’s portion and about $70 of the Fire Fund’s portion as per the Master Tax Sharing Agreement, which outlines property tax transfers for annexations.
This memorandum provides a path for the city to initiate annexation proceedings for five of the six-county islands (labeled 9, 11, 12, 13 and 14 in the memorandum) within 18 months of execution.
The city will begin annexation proceedings for the sixth island (labeled 10 in the memorandum) within 18 months when the land on this island is no longer considered Prime Agricultural Land under California Government Code 56064.
The Kings County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) approved these annexations at their Aug. 23 meeting. On Oct. 3, the city did the same.
Closed sessions were as follows:
- Personnel Matter:
- Public Employee Appointment: Fire Chief
- Personnel Matter:
Public Employee Appointment: Library Director
- Personnel Matter: (two cases)
- General Liability Settlement: (one case)
- Litigation initiated formally. Title: El Rico GSA v. County of Kings, et al., Kings County Superior Court Case No. 23CU0202
The next board meeting will be on Jan. 23 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.
