Legal Authority:

Established in accordance with Chapter 4, Article 2 (Commencing with Section 44308) of the Public Resources Code, and the applicable provisions of the California Code of Regulations; October 20, 1992, Ordinance G-5853 added Chapter 2.88 to the Ordinance Code of Kern County establishing the Kern County Solid Waste Hearing Panel; February 8, 2000, Ordinance G-6657 was enacted to revise Chapter 2.88 providing for a hearing panel of three members of the Board of Supervisors; March 27, 2001, Ordinance G-6766 was enacted to revise Chapter 2.88 to change the structure of the hearing panel to comply with requirements of Title 14 of the Code of California Regulation, section 18060; Ordinance G-7552, effective June 7, 2007, extended terms to four years.

Membership Qualifications:

The membership panel shall be appointed by the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors and consist of the following members: • One (1) member shall be from the Board of Supervisors. • One (1) member shall be a technical expert with knowledge of solid waste management methods and technology. • One (1) member shall be a representative of the public at large.

Term:

Each member shall serve for a term of four (4) years, and may not serve more than two (2) consecutive terms. If a panel member is unable to serve out his/her term, the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors shall appoint a replacement to serve out 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 panel shall hear and determine appeals by the solid waste facility operators or permit applicants on the rulings, decisions, and determinations of the local Enforcement Agency on permit conditions, enforcement actions, or the denial, suspension, and revocation of permits. The Panel shall also hear petitions from persons alleging the Local Enforcement Agency has failed to act as required by law or regulation. All proceedings and hearings before the panel shall be conducted as provided for in Chapter 4, Article 2 (commencing with section 44300) of the Public Resources Code and applicable provisions of the California Code of Regulations.

Meeting Place and Time:

The panel shall meet at least once annually, or as often as may be necessary for the transaction of business and shall give public notice of the time and place of meetings at least 30 days prior to the meeting.

Compensation:

None except for expenses actually and necessarily incurred in travel to and from the place of meeting of the panel and while traveling on the business of the panel. Such travel expenses shall be subject to those limits and procedures as may apply to county officers and employees.

Ethics Training:

Pursuant to State law, on or after 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:

Public Health Services Department, Environmental Health Division
1800 Mt. Vernon Avenue
Bakersfield, CA 93306
(661) 868-0305

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