BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Monday was a big news day for former County Supervisor Zack Scrivner.

For one, the county decided how to fill his vacancy following his resignation.

Secondly, in his civil case, a judge made a ruling on how much Scrivner would be paying monthly for child support.

“He should’ve resigned a long time ago,” said Peter Graff, District 2 resident and supervisorial candidate.

Fellow District 2 resident and trustee on the Kern County Board of Education Lori Cisneros agreed: “I’m glad that he was man enough to resign.”

As did Taft Republican Assembly President Vince Maiocco, who has frequented Board of Supervisors meetings in recent months to call for Scrivner’s resignation.

“[His resignation is] too late,” Maiocco said. “Because this whole thing could’ve been done months ago.”

For the first time in over three months — since the incident at his Tehachapi home on April 23 — the public got a sighting of former District 2 Supervisor Zack Scrivner via Zoom during his family court hearing.

Judge Tanya Richard ordered Scrivner to pay a total of nearly $3,000 monthly for child support for his four children.

Scrivner resigned from the Board of Supervisors on Aug. 2 for “significant health and medical reasons.”

But many told 17 News Monday that Scrivner’s departure is far from relief.

“We’re left with no choice but to do with what we got,” said Dale Cisneros, a District 2 resident and supervisor candidate.

Why? Well, now awaiting Kern County is an election to decide who succeeds Scrivner

The board met for a special session Monday, voting unanimously for the now-vacant District 2 seat to be on the Nov. 5 general election ballot.

Scrivner’s term expires January 2027, so whoever wins in November holds office for a partial term until then.

By state law, elections for supervisorial vacancies must be consolidated with an existing state general election. So, either November 2024 or not until 2026. Currently, there are no elections scheduled in 2025.

“I find it particularly egregious myself that this didn’t happen sooner and didn’t leave District 2 with more time to go through this process,” said District 1 Supervisor Phillip Peters, using one of the strongest adjectives any member of the Board of Supervisors has regarding Scrivner.

Peters added, “I think two years is a long time to leave District 2 without leadership that they had to be able to vote on, so [I vote for the election to be in November].”

Many are now questioning the timing of Scrivner’s resignation.

Some allege the Kern County Republican Party, which Scrivner was part of and represented by, already has a replacement in mind.

“The delay in Scrivner resigning was to narrow the pool of deserving applicants for District 2,” noted Maiocco.

District 2 resident Jim Robinson added, “It was more than coincidence that there were only four days left for the filing period… This is a good old boy network here.”

Dale Cisneros also said, “It’s very difficult to see this other than planned.”

And as Tehachapi residents, both Dale and wife Lori Cisneros remarked that their community members are upset and disappointed by Scrivner and his failure to represent them in recent months.

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They said they, like many other Tehachapi residents, have wanted an update directly from the Scrivners.

Potential candidates have until Friday, Aug. 9, to file all paperwork. Candidate requirements for the District 2 Supervisor position can be found on the Kern Elections website.

One notable requirement is that a candidate must have been a registered voter of the district for at least 30 days before the filing deadline — in this case is Aug. 9.

“That’s getting signatures, that’s pushing money, getting everything done,” said Graff, a candidate himself.

Graff, alongside Dale Cisneros, pulled paperwork Monday afternoon.

Also, by state law, until the election to choose a successor, the governor can appoint a temporary supervisor.

District 2 is largely Republican. Governor Gavin Newsom is a Democrat.

On that, Graff commented, “If you look at the stuff politically, you kind of know what’s going to happen.”

Newsom’s office declined to specify details of an appointment.

And the Secretary of State’s only comment to 17 News was that they have no jurisdiction of the District 2 race, as it is a local election.

Kern residents also took Monday as a time to reflect on Scrivner’s decade or so as county supervisor.

The handful of constituents 17 News spoke with said the district’s remote communities especially have not been represented under Scrivner.

“Good riddance,” said Maiocco.

As president of the Taft Republican Assembly, Maiocco said he’s reached out to Scrivner multiple times to request he speak to the group.

Not once, Maiocco said, did he receive a call back from the former supervisor.

“Horrible, he’s been horrible,” Maiocco added. “He’s not had any of his constituents in mind.”

Peter Graff shared the same thoughts: “Make your way out to Cal City, Mojave, Boron, Rosemond, North Edwards, these places are highly neglected.”

The County emphasized that despite the absence of a supervisor, District 2 staff are still serving constituents.

Residents can reach out to longtime Chief of Staff John Antonaros, as well as field representatives Karen Sanders and B.J. Saidi, the county said.

Though his resignation took effect Aug. 2, Scrivner has one final paycheck incoming from the county.

The county explained due to the lag in its biweekly payment system, Scrivner will be paid through his date of resignation, but that payment won’t be dispersed until August 20.

17 News has confirmed Scrivner’s supervisorial bi-weekly base salary was $4,374.55.

But, with benefits — including KernFlex, premium pay, automobile allowance and deferred compensation match — his total biweekly pay amounted to $5,612.46.

Thus, annually during the 2022-2026 term, Scrivner made $113,738.30 as an annual base salary. With benefits, he made $145,923.96 yearly.

The next Scrivner v. Scrivner hearing is still set for Dec. 2.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17.