Invocation: Clinton Trimmer
Flag Salute: Dr. Shambaugh
Song: The Marvelous Bee Barmann
Guest Spoke Editor:
Toni Harper
"We should be shining lamps, giving light to all around us." Catherine McAuley, the Foundress of the Sisters of Mercy and the sponsoring congregation of Mercy Hospitals of Bakersfield.
Good News:
Mike McCoy announced that Village Fest will be held this weekend (last weekend) at the Kern County Museum. He also will be hosting a monthly book club in honor of Museum Patron Peggy Darling. Contact him or the museum for details.
Shannon LaBarre announced that we will be holding a Margarita Party at the Barbich’s house! (Sheryl scared the daylights out of me by announcing that whoever does the Spoke needs to spell her name correctly with a S and not a C!) The party will be Sept 21 instead of the normal meeting. Please email Mary to RSVP to what is for sure going to be a great night!
Our Past Past Past President Ken Beurman stepped in to cover President Joe. All in attendance would have to admit that Ken has stored up A LOT of material! He did a comparison of his presidency versus President Joe and he (not surprisingly) came out on top! Ken won on the categories of age, height, record of attendance, red hair, tax policy (President Joe raised taxes) and freedom (President Joe brought back missed meeting fees and Ken doesn’t care where we are Thursday at lunch). President Joe did win for best tie with an impressive match to this year’s Rotary International logo. We just want Ken to remember that even though he isn’t president, he is Kenough in our book – which won’t make any sense unless you have seen Barbie!
Program:
Our speaker this week is James Zervis, Kern County's Chief Administrative Officer.
Before his appointment as the County's Chief Administrative Officer, Zervis served as the Chief Operations Officer. He also served as Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, and Interim City Manager for the City of Shafter from 2011-2020 and in various executive-level positions, including as City Manager, with the City of Wasco between 2009-2011.
Jim detailed the priorities for the CAO’s office this year include public safety, economic development and homelessness. Related to public safety, Jim is prioritizing filling vacant detention officer and deputy positions. Additionally, he intends to add more funded deputy positions which will allow him to open more jail bedspace. Secondly, Jim talked about the establishment of the new CAO division which will expand regional economic development opportunities to identify and eliminate external and internal barriers. Finally, related to homelessness, efforts will continue to be implemented for outreach and offering of services. However, he noted that some of the individuals simply don’t want interventions, which will result in increased amounts of enforcement.
Related to the budget, 49% of general funding is allocated to public safety. The bulk of these funds are passed through from federal and state, which are restricted for their use. 22% is for the general government, 15% for public assistance and 10% for health and sanitation. Of the discretionary revenue, 50% is allocated to public protection.
New major investments that are included this year include
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Public Safety
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Adding 25 detention deputies
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Adding 10 community service technicians
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Adding 2 code compliance offers
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Increase first responder compensation
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New coroner facility
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New Rosamond Sheriff Substation
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District Attorney Justice for Kern
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Kern County Fire and safety squads (which will eliminate the need to dispatch the fire trucks when responding to medical calls.)
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New Public Safety Communications Systems
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Animal Services
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Adding 5 new animal care workers
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Increase spay/neuter funding
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Designing a new animal services facility
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Elections
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Parks
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Libraires
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Mental Health
In terms of long term fiscal planning, Jim discussed building out new infrastructure and facilities, adding no new delta, preparing for increase in retirement costs and increasing the reserves by 27%.
Overall, Jim was very optimistic about the growth and future of Kern County, although losses from the oil and gas industry must be mitigated through other industries, which they are working to support.
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