Kern County has collected $4,076,000 from oil permits issued since the start of the year as part of its strategy to help disadvantaged communities with failing water systems.
But it can only actually spend $9,592 of that, so far.
That’s because, until oil companies begin the drilling process– known as spudding in – the $9,732 water fee charged as part of county permits doesn’t technically belong to the county, explained Planning Director Craig Murphy…