Report: Inyokern Community Services District (website Only)

A determination of what is the most advantage’s operational structure for water delivery in the Indian Wells Valley would start with a Feasibility Study/Municipal Services Review. The Feasibility Study would look at a number of organizational options, infrastructure, costs, funding availability, etc. From this document it is hopeful that an educated response and path forward would be evident. RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the State Water Board take over operations of the district on an interim basis, assess the infrastructure needs and find funding to repair, replace and consolidate systems across the Indian Wells Valley. At the same time, several agencies including Inyokern CSD, LAFCo, the Indian Wells Valley Water District and other interested parties, would begin the process to consolidate services under one agency. This would include a Feasibility Study/Municipal Services Review that would analyze multiple reorganizational options.

The Inyokern Community Services District, the Kern County Board of Supervisors, and the Kern County Local Agency Formation Commission should post a copy of this report where it will be available for public review.

Persons wishing to receive an email notification of newly released reports may sign up at: https://www.kerncounty.com/government/other-agencies/grand-jury

Present and past Kern County Grand Jury Final Reports and Responses can be accessed on the Kern County Grand Jury website at: https://www.kerncounty.com/government/other- agencies/grand-jury RESPONSE DEADLINE: REQUIRED WITHIN 90 DAYS FROM:

The Inyokern Community Services District Finding 1 and Recommendation 1 o

The Kern County Board of Supervisors: Finding 1 and Recommendation 2 o

The Kern County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo): Finding 1 and Recommendation 2 o RESPONSES ARE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO CAL. PENAL CODE §§933 (c) AND 933.05 WITHIN 90 DAYS TO:

PRESIDING JUDGE SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF KERN 1415 TRUXTUN AVENUE, SUITE 212 BAKERSFIELD, CA 93301

FOREPERSON KERN COUNTY GRAND JURY 1415 TRUXTUN AVENUE, SUITE 600 BAKERSFIELD, CA 93301 Reports issued by the Grand Jury do not identify individuals interviewed. Cal. Penal Code §929 requires that reports of the Grand Jury not contain the name of any person or facts leading to the identity of any person who provides information to the Grand Jury. 2023-2024 KERN COUNTY GRAND JURY REPORT 5 Kern Local Agency Formation Commission 5300 Lennox Ave. Suite 303 Bakersfield, CA 93309 661-716-1076 www.co.kern.ca.us/lafco/ DATE: August 21, 2024 TO: Kern County Grand Jury FROM: Blair Knox, Executive Officer RE: DRAFT: Response to Grand Jury Report on Inyokern CSD Kern LAFCo has been aware of a multitude of problems at Inyokern Community Services District (CSD). The information that has been provided to LAFCo about the source of the problems varies depending on who is crafting the information. While LAFCo staff cannot specifically confirm or deny any of the issues identified by the Grand Jury, there isn’t any surprise that there is a history of disfunction at the district. Over the years, help has been offered to the district in a number of ways. The former LAFCo Executive Officer offered help and was turned away. Representatives from Self-Help Enterprises and the County of Kern have tried to help the district with grant funding opportunities. California Special District’s Association (CSDA) directed the district towards grant funding available and training opportunities for the Board of Directors and management staff. All were ignored. Recently, LAFCo approved an emergency authorization for Indian Wells Valley Water District to provide water to Inyokern CSD after several failures. LAFCo has the authority to allow the district to provide services outside their boundary when there has been deemed a health and safety concern. (California Government Code Section 56133 (c)).