Kern County General Plan - Chapter 1, Land Use - County of Kern

1.4 PUBLIC FACILITIES AND SERVICES
ASSUMPTIONS: PUBLIC FACILITIES AND SERVICES
As development occurs, the public will demand certain levels of public services and
facilities. These levels may, however, vary from region to region within the County. Public
funds available to provide such services can be anticipated to be significantly less than
adequate to meet all public service needs. As a result, it can be anticipated that there will
be an increase in the provision of public facilities through the use of private capital and
user fees.
Important segments of the economy temporarily require facilities to dispose of hazardous
waste until safer methods are implemented. Waste generators include the oil industry,
agriculture, military, and many businesses which generate small volumes of hazardous
waste. Hazardous waste disposal facilities in Kern County will be operated as private
commercial enterprises under conditional use permits. Although generally referred to as
"hazardous", much of the petroleum drilling and production waste is of relatively low
toxicity. This is the basis on which these wastes are exempted from federal Resource and
Conservation Recovery Act regulations.
It is also assumed that many areas of the County will continue to use individual septic
systems for liquid waste disposal due to the absence of community sewage systems.
Vital public facilities and services such as law enforcement (Sheriff), health services, and
fire protection will be continued, improved, and expanded where needed.
Educational services and facilities will continue to be provided.
Recreational facilities and parks will continue to be provided by public and private means
on an as needed basis.
ISSUES: PUBLIC FACILITIES AND SERVICES
The economical and efficient delivery of public services is one of the main purposes and
benefits of effective land use planning. Kern County, as well as numerous special districts,
the incorporated cities, and the many school districts within the County, are faced with
fiscal constraints and continuing inflationary trends. In some portions of the County, and
for some countywide services, the costs of providing the services are exceeding traditional
sources of revenue available to finance them. As a result, levels of service are reduced
and public facilities are deteriorating.
The new residential, industrial, and commercial land uses indicated on the General Plan
map will demand the provision of public services and facilities. In several areas, major
public service or facility deficiencies already exist. Projected growth will add to this
problem and may create new problems in other areas as well. Locating adequate sites for
public facilities will become more difficult as incompatible uses compete for increasingly
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