Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What type of measure is being considered?

The Kern Transportation Authority is considering placing a local funding measure on the November 2006 ballot to relieve traffic congestion, improve highway safety, increase maintenance of local streets and roads, increase public transit for seniors and the disabled, and improve the air quality.

Q: Why consider a transportation funding measure now?

A: The population of Kern County will double in the next 30 years. Already our streets, roads and public transit systems are in need of significant repairs and upgrades to improve our health and safety.

Q: How will the funds be distributed?

A: The funds will be distributed on a “fair share” basis. The measure divides Kern County into nine sub-areas. Each sub-area is guaranteed a fair share based on the percentage of Kern County's population that it represents.

Q: How will I know that these funds will be spent properly?

A: By law, every cent generated from the measure is required to be spent in the county in which it was raised. This will allow the Kern region to raise its own funds for its own transportation purposes – keeping the money here in Kern County.

The measure establishes a Citizens Oversight Committee and a guaranteed annual audit whose results will be released to the public. These requirements will ensure that the money is spent efficiently and as promised.

Q: How will the transportation measure improve air quality?

A: A minimum of thirteen percent of the funds will be used to improve air quality in our communities. The funds will be provided to the cities, county and other organizations for programs that improve air quality. The air district identifies projects that improve air quality include increased public transit, replacement of diesel engines on public vehicles, and paving unpaved road shoulders.

Q: How will the transportation measure improve health and safety?

A: Reduced congestion helps improve the air quality. Also by repairing roads and reducing traffic congestion, the measure will reduce emergency response times so that paramedics can reach people who need medical assistance faster.

Studies show that for every $100 million spent on roadway safety improvements, 145 lives will be saved over a 10-year period. The transportation measure will improve the safety on the streets and roads and highways.

Q: How much of the funding will be spent for public transit?

A; Overall, as much as 14 percent of the measure's estimated $900 million will be spent to improve public transit and transit for seniors and the disabled. Each of the nine sub-areas will receive a share of funds for transit and air quality improvements. The cities and county will designate where the dollars will go for each sub-area based on its transit needs.

Q: How were the projects in the transportation measure selected?

A: In 2003, Kern COG conducted the “Roads to Ruin” study that addressed the transportation needs of the Kern region. The study said new roads to relieve congestion amounted to 49 percent of our total need, while maintenance and repair of local roads represented 39 percent, and transit/air quality was 14 percent.

Streets, roads and highway projects were selected for each sub-area from the list of projects in Kern COGs Destination 2030 Regional Transportation Plan.

Q: Who is the Kern Transportation Authority?

A: The Kern Transportation Authority has the same membership as the Kern Council of Governments. The Kern COG Board of Directors is made up of one city council member from each of the 11 cities in Kern County and two members of the Kern County Board of Supervisors.

Q: Who will oversee the expenditure of the funds?

A: The Kern Transportation Authority is responsible distributing the funds for project construction and program implementation. A Citizens Oversight Committee will be nominated by Grand Jury Association of Kern County to guarantee that an annual audit will be performed each year – with results released to the public. This requirement will ensure that the money is spent efficiently and as promised.

Q: When will the sales tax end?

A: The measure, once approved by voters, will “sunset” in 20 years. The sales tax cannot continue past the 20-year approval without a new vote of the people to renew the measure.

Q: How do we know the money will stay in Kern County?

A: The sales tax is a local measure, subject to the approval of the local electorate and not part of the state general sales tax system. Since 1986, 18 counties in the state have adopted transportation sale tax measures, and all of them have remained under local control.

The measure has a provision that would stop the collection of the tax if the state tries to take the money from local control.