Legal Authority:

Created by the Kern County Campaign Finance Reform Ordinance A-341 which was enacted by a vote of the people in the November 5, 2002 election and became effective on January 1, 2003. That Ordinance is codified as Chapter 2.130 of the Kern County Ordinance Code. Effective July 6, 2006, Ordinance A-346 increased panel to five members.

Membership Qualifications:

The Panel shall consist of five (5) members appointed by the Board of Supervisors. Two (2) members must either be an attorney at law who has been admitted to practice in California for at least five (5) years or a retired attorney or judge. The Chairman of the Panel shall be an attorney member. The other three (3) members must be residents of Kern County.

Term:

Three-year term. If a member is unable to serve out his/her term, the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors shall appoint a replacement to serve the remainder of the unexpired term. Any member whose term has expired shall continue to serve as a member until a successor has been appointed and qualified.

Duties:

The purpose of the Panel is to hear administrative actions arising out of alleged violations of Ordinance A-341. The panel shall hear administrative actions arising out of alleged violations of Ordinance A-341 and conduct other business incidental or necessary to that duty.

Meeting Place and Time:

To be determined. All meetings shall be subject to the Brown Act.

Compensation:

Per Resolution 2003-220 approved June 10, 2003, members shall be paid $200 per day and $125 per half day for each meeting or hearing. Members whose place of residence is located 20 miles or more from the place of the hearing or meeting shall be reimbursed for travel expenses as set forth in the Kern County Administrative Procedures Manual.

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:

Auditor-Controller-County Clerk
1115 Truxtun Avenue
Bakersfield, CA 93301
(661) 868-3599

Required Documents/Training:

• Loyalty Oath required
• Form 700 (Statement of Economic Interests) required; filed with Clerk of the Board
• Ethics training required; training provided by Kern County Counsel