Legal Authority:

Established by Board of Supervisors Resolution 74-335 dated June 18, 1974. Board Resolution 75-443 dated September 16, 1975 expanded membership; amended by Resolution 80-107 on March 4, 1980, modified by Resolution 81-994 dated May 26, 1981, and amended by Resolution 87-286 dated April 21, 1987; amended by Resolution 98-406 dated December 15, 1998 to add two members of the Board of Supervisors to the Commission; amended by Resolution 2003-066 dated February 25, 2003 to remove members of the Board of Supervisors and reduce the membership from 27 to 25; Resolution 2009-273 amended bylaws to allow appointment of one member by Director of Aging and Adult Services; Resolution 2018-286 amended bylaws to reduce the number of general members from 25 to 22 and to add Independent Living Center Director as a non-voting ex-officio member.

Membership Qualifications:

Commission is comprised of at least fifteen (15) and not more than twenty-two (22) general members and eight (8) non-voting ex-officio members. General members are appointed by Board of Supervisors and those entities providing nutrition and/or social services (service providers). Number of general members appointed by Board shall be at least five (5) and not more than ten (10). Each supervisorial district shall be equally represented and general membership shall • reflect the geographic, racial, economic and social complexion of Kern County • contain a majority of persons sixty (60) years of age or older • contain older persons with greatest economic or social needs • contain older persons who are participants in programs operated in accordance with Older Americans Act • contain at least one (1) member representing the interests of the disabled The two (2) persons representing Kern County in the California Senior Legislature shall be general voting members by virtue of their office. At least one (1), and not more than two (2) members shall be selected and appointed by the Director of the Kern County Aging and Adult Services Department, with the approval of the Commission Executive Committee. The eight (8), non-voting ex-officio members (or their designated representatives) shall consist of Human Services Director, Public Health Officer, Veterans Service Officer, Parks & Recreation Director, ETR Program Director, Planning and Natural Resources Director, Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Director, and Independent Living Center Director.

Term:

General members shall serve two-year terms. Non-voting ex-officio members will serve for tenure of office.

Duties:

The Commission shall act in an advisory capacity to the Board of Supervisors in the general area of problems faced by elderly, assessing and studying needs of older citizens. The Commission also serves as advisory council to Area Agency on Aging for Planning Area 33.

Meeting Place and Time:

Various Senior Centers throughout the County Third Monday of each month at 1:00 P.M. or on such other day of the month at a time and place to be designated by the Chairperson. For more information on meetings, contact Aging and Adult Services Office.

Meeting Schedule/Agenda/Minutes

Compensation:

Commission members shall serve without compensation, however, General Members shall be reimbursed their actual and necessary expenses incurred while performing official duties, in amounts not in excess of the reimbursement schedule applicable to employees of the County of Kern.

Ethics Training:

Pursuant to State law, on or after January 1, 2006, any person newly appointed shall successfully complete a course in ethics training approved by the Fair Political Practices Commission and Attorney General. Each member is required to complete this training every two years.

Contact:

Aging and Adult Services
5357 Truxtun Avenue
Bakersfield, CA 93309
(661) 868-1052
juarezlau@kerncounty.com

Required Documents/Training:

• Loyalty Oath not required
• Form 700 (Statement of Economic Interests) not required
• Ethics training required; training provided by Kern County Counsel