BAKERSFIELD, CA (KUZZ) — Property owners in Greenacres have vetoed a proposed tax increase designed to keep neighborhood streetlights operating.

Kern County Public Works reports a vote on the proposal was counted at a public hearing Tuesday, January 6, 2026, during the Kern County Board of Supervisors meeting.

The county mailed out more than 1,700 ballots to affected property owners and received about 400 back. 166 people voted in favor of the increase, 236 people voted no.

The tax increase would have affected property owners in the Greenacres area near Rosedale Highway from Allen Road to Calloway Drive where around 75 streetlights may now have to be turned off because the county is staring down drastic rate increases by Pacific Gas and Electric Company.