TAFT CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY
MINUTES
JUNE 16, 2026
The June 16, 2026, special joint meeting of the Taft City Council/Taft Successor Agency, held in the Council Chamber at Taft City Hall, 209 East Kern Street, Taft, CA 93268, was opened by Mayor Noerr at 6:00 PM. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Dave Noerr and the invocation was given by Greg Mudge.
PRESENT: Mayor Dave Noerr and Mayor Pro Tem Josh Bryant Council Members Orchel Krier and Ron Waldrop
City Manager Craig Jones and City Attorney Jason Epperson Deputy City Clerk Michelle Kincaid
1. SWEARING IN OF OFFICER - DAVID LAWSON
2. PRESENTATION BY SHARON RAHBAN WITH PRICE PAIGE COMPANY - 2026/2027 BUDGET
3. APPROVAL OF FINAL BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 AND PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027
Recommendation -
Motion to adopt resolution entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT ADOPTING THE CITY OF TAFT FINAL BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 AND PROPOSED BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027.
Motion: Moved by Krier, seconded by Bryant to adopt resolution entitled A RESOLUTION OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TAFT ADOPTING THE CITY OF TAFT FINAL BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 AND PROPOSED BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027 (Resolution No. 4361-26) and find that the activity is not a project per the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as set forth in Section 15060(c)(3) and Section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines.
AYES: Krier, Bryant, Waldrop, Noerr
PASSED: 4-0
4. CITIZEN REQUESTS/PUBLIC COMMENTS
There was none.
5. COUNCIL STATEMENTS (NON-ACTION)
Council Member Krier reminded the community of the upcoming 4th of July events happening in Taft.
Council Member Waldrop stated he is proud to be an American citizen and proud to be a citizen of Taft.
Mayor Pro Tem Bryant encouraged people to get involved in community activities. He is looking forward to the celebration of Independence Day. Happy Birthday America.
Mayor Noerr urged everyone to be a part of your government. Also stating, Happy Birthday America and hope that everyone stays safe and has a great time.
City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
June 16, 2026
6. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
There was none.
7. CITY MANAGER STATEMENTS
City Manager Craig Jones thanked Teresa Binkley for helping with the budget beyond her retirement.
He also thanked Sharon Rahban with Price Paige Company for presenting the budget, and the city employees for helping the city through another year with a tight budget. City Manager Jones gave a reminder that City Council will be dark the first meeting in July.
CITY ATTORNEY STATEMENTS
There was none.
9. FUTURE AGENDA REQUESTS
There was none.
**************************************************************************************************** CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 10-15
MOTION: Moved by Bryant, seconded by Krier to approve consent calendar items 10-15.
AYES: Krier, Bryant, Waldrop, Noerr
PASSED: 4-0
10. MINUTES
June 02, 2026, Regular
Recommendation - Approve as submitted.
11. PAYMENT OF BILLS
Warrant # 052926 Check No. 202156-202169 $ 94,650.70
Recommendation - Approve payment of the bills.
12. LANDSCAPE AND LIGHTING MAINTENANCE DISTRICT NO. 1 ENGINEERS REPORT Recommendation -
Motion to 1) receive 2026-2027 Engineer's Report for Landscape Maintenance District No. 1; and 2) adopt a resolution entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
TAFT DECLARING ITS INTENTION TO REVIEW THE IMPROVEMENTS AND FEES FOR LANDSCAPE AND LIGHTING MAINTENANCE DISTRICT NO. 1 AND SET THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR JULY 21, 2026 and find that the activity is not a project per the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as set forth in Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines.
City of Taft Council/Successor Agency Meeting
Minutes
June 16, 2026
13. RESOLUTION DETERMINING REASONABLE EFFORTS TO ENCOURAGE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE § 54953.4
Recommendation -
Motion to adopt a resolution entitled RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
TAFT DETERMINING REASONABLE EFFORTS TO ENCOURAGE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN MEETINGS PURSUANT GOVERNMENT CODE § 54953.4.
14. COMMERCIAL WASTE DUMP WILL SERVE PROCEDURES
Recommendation -
Receive the informational item regarding Commercial Waste Dump Will Serve Procedures and find that the activity is not a project per the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as set forth in Section 15060(c)(3) and Section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines.
15. ANNUAL AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR FY 2022-2023 Recommendation -
Motion to receive and file the Annual Audited Comprehensive Financial Reports for the year ended June 30, 2023 and find that the activity is not a project per the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as set forth in Section 15060(c)(3) and Section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines.
***************************************************************************************************** At 7:05 PM the regular meeting was recessed to closed session.
CLOSED SESSION
A. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR, CRAIG JONES, CITY MANAGER Government Code 54957.6 - All units
B. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR, CRAIG JONES- CITY MANAGER Government Code Section 54956.8 - undisclosed parcels
C. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION
Government Code Section 54956.9 (a) - Taft Union High School vs. City of Taft Kern County Superior Court Case No. S-1500-CV-283804
D. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Government Code Section 54956.9(b) - One (1) undisclosed case > The City Council discussed in closed session the two items agendized for closed session discussion and directions were given to staff and negotiators. The City Council took no other reportable action.
ADJOURNMENT - With no further business to conduct, the meeting was adjourned at 7:45 PM.
Michelle Kincaid Dave Noer
Deputy City Clerk Mayor