Kern County water leaders to be honored at annual event

Former Bakersfield Water Resources Director Kristina Budak will recieve the “Water Leader of the Year” award and former Kern Water Bank Authority General Manager Jonathan Parker will receive the “Water Legacy” award at the Water Association of Kern County’s 70th annual dinner Nov. 4.

Budak, a civil engineer, retired as head of Water Resources earlier this summer after serving the city for three years where she managed several challenging issues including Kern River operations under a major lawsuit and the merger of the city’s Wastewater division under her department as well, according to a press release from the Water Association announcing the awards.

“I am grateful to all those that I have had an opportunity to collaborate with and learn from over the years including members of the Kern River Interests, Kern County Subbasin, California Water Services Company, and the City of Bakersfield,” Budak is quoted in the press release.

Parker, who joined the Kern Water Bank Authority in 1999, played a significant role in developing infrastructure capable of storing and managing water in Kern County, according to the Water association press release.

His work included overseeing construction of the Kern Water Bank Canal, installation and rehabilitation of 41 wells, and building recharge basins and pipeline systems. Parker, a geologist, also brought needed technical expertise to creation of the Kern Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan, required under the state’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act.

The Water Association’s press release states that “Together, these accomplishments demonstrate Jon’s lasting contributions to Kern County Water.”

Tickets for the event, which will be held at the Stockdale Country Club starting at 6 p.m., are $100 for Water Association members and $150 for nonmembers and may be purchased at https://www.simpletix.com/e/annual-meeting-tickets-293776 before October 23rd.