Meeting: North Kern Water Storage District board of directors.
Date: July 16, 2024
Agenda and board packet: CLICK HERE
General Manager Dave Hampton said fencing costs jumped from an average $2,300 a month to $10,457 in July as the district fenced off some of its groundwater wells and has had to repair damage to fencing along the Beardsley canal near Olive Drive due to damage caused by homeless people.
Fence repairs have had to be done weekly – or more often.
Board members questioned if repairing the fence weekly was too often, and if that contributed to the excessive costs.
“If they just continue to cut it as soon as you walk away, at what point do you just leave it and go look at it once a month instead of once a week?” asked director Joel Ackernecht.
Hampton noted that he would need to discuss this matter with legal counsel as it could pose a potential liability.
Board member Kristen Camarena also asked if the fencing was replaced by district staff to see if that could help reduce the costs. Hampton said district staff did repair fencing where they could but for areas located further from the district office they had Lamont Fencing do repairs.
Camarena also noted the “root of the issue” was homeless people trespassing and cutting the fence.
Board member Winn Glende asked if police were aiding with this issue. Hampton said authorities had been responsive. Staff had also notified businesses and residents to call police if they noticed illegal activities in the area.
Hampton said he would look for other potential solutions.
How to attend: North Kern meets at 7 a.m. on the 3rd Tuesday of each month. You can join via teleconference calling (877) 567‐8582 using the Phone Conference ID: 944 706 059#
Sonia Lemus, freelance for SJV Water 
