On Nov. 17, the Golden Hills Community Services District (GHCSD) met for their regularly scheduled board meeting. Despite some technical difficulties, I was able to view most of the live-streamed meeting.

A proposal to annex a property in unincorporated Tehachapi in the vicinity of Schout Rd. and Hwy. 202 was thoroughly discussed. The property owner has plans to open an assisted living facility, but needs access to water. Although there is currently a well on the property, it has been deemed "unusable." It was the property owner who requested annexation to GHCSD. The burden of labor and finance will all fall on the property owner, but should be minimal, considering that they are only 40 feet away from the current end of GHSCD's distribution system. Part of the annexation agreement involves the property owner forfeiting all rights to drill for water in the future and consenting to exclusively use water provided by GHSCD.

Another topic of discussion was initiated by the Cesar Chavez Environmental Corps. They have filed a notice of exemption with Kern County regarding a fuel reduction grant providing for "creation of defensible perimeters, increasing fire crew access and the creation of protective zones within GHSCD boundaries," including Brite Creek Canyon and the central grassland areas. Because of a lack of documentation at the time of the meeting, the matter has been tabled until next year.

And finally, the board unanimously decided not to convene on Dec. 16 for their next regularly scheduled meeting, but instead to "go dark" during the holiday season. They did agree to make themselves available for any emergencies or urgent matters that might arise. The next meeting will be in January, although the date has not yet been posted on their website.

Golden Hills Community Services District's mission is "to be interactive and responsive to the Golden Hills Community and provide those services within [their] authority." They are located in Tehachapi at 21415 Reeves St. Their regular business hours are Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and their main phone number is (661) 822-3064. You can also visit them online at http://www.ghcsd.com.