Taft Heights Sewer Charge Stays at $545.25 for 2026–27; County Records Detail Replacement Work

TAFT HEIGHTS, Kern County — November 8, 2026. Residents served by the Ford City–Taft Heights Sanitation District will see the existing annual sewer service charge remain $545.25 for fiscal year 2026–27. Kern County’s Board of Supervisors approved maintaining that amount following a public hearing on April 28, 2026, according to the county’s official meeting recap.

What supervisors decided

The April 28 Kern County Board of Supervisors recap states that the board voted to maintain the existing $545.25 annual charge for the Ford City–Taft Heights district. The county considered a different rate for the separate Kern Sanitation Authority service area, so residents should not confuse the two programs. Property-specific tax assessments and any other charges should be verified against the actual tax bill.

What is the sanitation district?

According to Kern County Public Works, wastewater collected in Ford City and Taft Heights joins the City of Taft system and flows to the Taft Wastewater Treatment Plant. The treatment plant is owned 52% by the city and 48% by the special district; the Kern Sanitation Authority maintains the district’s collection lines.

How does the replacement program fit in?

The county separately documented a $6,729,240 American Rescue Plan-funded sewer infrastructure program designed to replace approximately 12,505 feet of pipe. The county’s 2025 recovery-plan report describes the program’s scale and earlier design timeline. That older report cannot establish how much work is unfinished today. A September 29, 2026 board agenda also listed a notice of completion for a sewer-segment replacement contract, indicating a separate milestone. A notice listed on an agenda should not be treated as a confirmed final vote without minutes.

Who should residents call?

For sewer system emergencies, the county lists (661) 203-6026. Other district inquiries can go to Kern County Public Works at (661) 868-8285. Residents can ask whether their parcel is part of the district, how sewer fees appear on their tax bills, and which local segments have been replaced or remain scheduled.

Primary sources: Kern County Board of Supervisors, April 28, 2026 recap; Public Works sewer information; 2025 recovery-plan report; September 29, 2026 board agenda. This story explains a confirmed rate decision, not a new November rate increase.

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