Kern County Supervisors seem poised for a long afternoon.

After years of debate they're looking to finalize a new traffic impact fee.

And it looks like departments will be up defending their operations, funding levels and the cash "tier" they're in.

Should be an interesting afternoon.

Country music legend Billy Mize is being honored by supervisors for his stellar career as a musician, writer and mentor for decades of country greats.

He had few words. A gravelly "thank you." He's looking dapper in a pressed white shirt bolo tie and big black hat.

Supes are moving pretty quick through planning department items.

Kimi Peck is in the audience. I don't see any supporters for the Tehachapi dog-rescuer. Just one gentleman in a suit. Looks like a lawyer.

The board will have to decide if they drop more financial penalties on her for violation of county land use rules.

Kern County Supervisor's morning session is picking up discussions of Kern Medical Center's financial status now.

Paul Hensler is reporting that KMC's recovery efforts are a little slower than expected due to the economy. Patient numbers are down from around 160 to 145 on average.

Coming up...more talk about doctor contracts. Always a touchy subject.

Staff and consultants are delivering the baseline data on the proposed update to the Metropolitan Bakersfield General Plan.

Bottom line: Bako has to do do things different or they will be sued.

County Planning Director: "Reducing vehicle-miles-travelled, that's the theme you're going to hear over and over again."

I'm covering the joint city-county planning commission meeting tonight at the Kern County Board of Supervisors' chambers.

Should be interesting.

Planners are trying to draft a plan that keeps the city and county from being sued by the state for ignoring climate change prevention legislation at the same time they take into account Kern County's conservative "don't mess with my property rights" political attitude.

It should be an intricate, interesting balance to watch being created.

So I just got followed on Twitter by Supervisor Michael Rubio staffer Kim Salas.

And, in a classic Twitter chain reaction, I followed her, her boss and Rubio chief of staff Sergio Reyes.

Let the fun begin.

Rubio's first post, one hour ago: Great meeting in Fresno. We approved the San Joaquin Valley Blue Print. The plan promotes responsible growth... Positive step forward fo"

Ah, I remember the first time I blasted past my 140 character limit....good times!

The General Services Administration will build and own a new federal courthouse downtown in Bakersfield thanks to $31 million in federal stimulus cash.

It's a big break for the project, which has been locked in procedureal limbo for more than a year.

See our story here.

It's also an interesting development in a debate former co-worker James Geluso reported on his City Beat blog.

Ken Mettler was bashing the courthouse project because the city was going to cede publc land in Central Park for a private developer to construct the project.

Now the public developer is out.

I've got a call in to Mettler to see what he thinks.