Kern County Water Agency Directors Get $325 Per Meeting, Full Insurance Package
Directors of the Kern County Water Agency can pull in $325 per meeting — up to 10 meetings per month. Add in full insurance coverage, and the taxpayer tab runs nearly $200,000 a year.
That’s significantly more than what directors at other Valley water agencies get.
The meeting stipend applies to any public meeting as long as directors attend on behalf of the agency. The seven-member board costs the agency $100,895 annually in meeting stipends alone.
On top of that, directors can receive medical, dental, vision, long-term care, life and travel insurance benefits through the agency. Four of the seven directors use the medical benefits, costing the agency $76,178 a year. The agency covers 100% of premiums for dental, vision, long-term care, life and travel insurance — another $17,945 combined.
Directors split medical premiums with the agency. Their share ranges from zero to about $500 a month depending on the plan and coverage level.
The agency points to the workload. New directors go through 40 to 50 hours of orientation, according to Tammy Johnson, appointed to the board in December 2025. Directors track issues from the Delta Conveyance Project to groundwater banking to water exchange contracts. They attend monthly board meetings, special meetings, and work on agency committees. They also represent large chunks of the county and attend meetings of water districts within those boundaries.
Compare that to local water districts. They typically pay directors $100 per meeting with a set list of meetings that qualify. Some offer health benefits, but not the full insurance package Kern County Water Agency provides.
Even among large, complex water entities, Kern stands out. Westlands Water District directors get $100 per meeting, capped at six meetings per month. The district pays $162 monthly toward medical insurance and offers vision and dental plans. Friant Water Authority directors get $100 per meeting and no benefits — though many serve on “home” districts that do offer health benefits.
The Breakdown
- Kern County Water Agency directors receive $325 per meeting attended on behalf of the agency, up to 10 meetings per month
- Directors can receive medical, dental, vision, long-term care, life and travel insurance — dental, vision, long-term care, life and travel premiums are 100% covered by the agency
- Medical premiums are shared between directors and the agency; director contributions range from $0 to about $500 monthly
- Total annual cost: $100,895 for meeting stipends, $76,178 for medical premiums for four directors, $17,945 for other insurance categories
- Comparable agencies pay significantly less: Westlands Water District pays $100 per meeting (max six per month) plus $162 monthly toward medical; Friant Water Authority pays $100 per meeting with no benefits
What This Means for You
The compensation package costs the agency nearly $200,000 annually. The gap between Kern’s package and what directors at Westlands or local districts receive is significant.
What to Watch
The agency’s own justification centers on complexity and workload. The job isn’t ceremonial. Westlands Water District directors get $100 per meeting and minimal benefits, while Kern directors receive more than triple the meeting pay and a more generous insurance package.
