A new report from the Kern County Grand Jury took aim at a number of issues currently plaguing Arvin through its city government.
Per the report, there is a lack of responsibility displayed by department heads and staff members at all levels of the city’s administration.
Development at a halt: One of the major problems that Arvin currently faces is a breach of its only sewage pond.
- Repairs are estimated to cost over $5 million, but the financial impact is not as great as the inability to add any more sewer hookups, according to the report.
- New businesses and housing developments have become effectively paralyzed in Arvin, with repairs scheduled to take about one year.
Issues with the city attorney: Arvin contracts with attorney Nathan Hodges for the city’s legal work instead of hiring an in-house attorney. The report found that Hodges’ firm typically bills the city over $20,000 per month.
- The grand jury found that none of the bills are at any of the rates called for in the contract. The descriptions in the bills are also not sufficient to determine which billing rate should apply.
Other highlights: The grand jury was critical of the city for not yet calling a special election to replace a city councilmember who resigned last August.
- The grand jury also noted that the city posted its City Council meeting minutes on the city’s website before 2024, but the practice stopped last year.
Zoom in: Overall, the grand jury made 14 findings in its report, of which most of them were negative.
- “Many of the Arvin City employees have voiced concerns that other staff members are not doing the amount of work required for their respective positions, causing animosity in the workplace,” one finding reads.
- “Cohesiveness within the staff is often missing, demonstrated by employee allegiance – or lack thereof – to various members of the City Council, department heads, or fellow employees. This has resulted in the perception of two ‘teams’ within the City staff working in different directions,” another finding reads.
- Two findings complemented Arvin for its efforts by the police department to conduct community policing, which have driven down crime statistics, and the city’s transit department for converting its bus fleet to zero-emission vehicles.
What we’re watching: The grand jury made 11 recommendations in the report in addition to the findings. Arvin is required to formally respond to the findings and recommendations within 90 days.
- One recommendation tells Arvin to announce a special election for the vacant city council seat by March 14. The election should be held on Nov. 4.
- The grand jury also recommends that the city hire an attorney to work in-house instead of continuing to contract out its legal needs.
The full grand jury report can be read here.
