PEN § 7016

The Department of Corrections may contract with the County of Kern for the construction and financing of a courthouse and related facilities. Under this contract, the Department of Corrections is authorized to make payments to the County of Kern in consideration for the construction and financing of the courthouse and related facilities, provided that the sums paid to the county are realized from savings to the department by the location of the courthouse in the proximity of the California Correctional Facility in Tehachapi.

In accordance with the contract, the Department of Corrections is authorized to make annual payments to the County of Kern from the approximate savings realized in each fiscal year. These funds shall come from the operating budget of the department. In negotiating this contract, the Department of Corrections shall note the extent to which the courthouse will serve the interest of the County of Kern independent of matters pertaining to individuals in state custody, and seek appropriate county participation in funding.