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Kern County Department of Agriculture and Measurement Standards

County of Kern
Agriculture and Measurement Standards
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Frequently Asked Questions

CONSUMER and AGRICULTURAL PROTECTION

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact Deputy Director Cerise Montanio at: montanioc@kerncounty.com
Q:  How can the Federal Phytosanitary Certificate USDA Administrative Fee be paid?
A: 

The preferred method of payment is by the exporter directly to APHIS through the Phytosanitary Certificate Issuance Tracking (PCIT) system. If the exporter does not have a PCIT account or if the State or County is not using PCIT, then the burden of collecting the Administrative Fee from the exporter and remitting it to APHIS would fall directly on the State or County issuing the Federal export certificate and must occur monthly.

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Q:  What are some of the benefits to States and Counties in using PCIT to collect fees?
A: 

PCIT has the capability to:

  • Provide States and Counties a more efficient and cost-effective means of collecting and tracking certificates issued than does the four-part paper certificate.

  • Assist in developing an accurate balance sheet for the organization.

  • Provide various reports that can be utilized by both government and industry.

  • Assist in getting held shipments released in a foreign country in a more timely manner.
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    ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Contact Deputy Director Brian Gatza at: gatzab@kerncounty.com
    Q:  How do I gain access to Restricted Materials Permits and Pesticide Use Report (PUR) data?
    A: 

    There are several ways to access Permit/Operator ID and PUR data:

  • Data may be downloaded directly from our site.
  • You may access physical permits and paper-submitted PURs by completing an Information Request and scheduling an appointment with our office.
  • If you are a currently registered permittee, PCM, or PCA you may enroll in online access to your permit and use report data by filling out the request form available from this page.
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    Q:  How do I renew my Restricted Materials Permit/Operator ID?
    A: 

    You must schedule an appointment to renew your permit. Information relevant to annual permitting and license renewal is available here.

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    MEASUREMENT STANDARDS

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Contact Deputy Director Michelle SanSoucie at: sanssouciem@kerncounty.com
     
    Q:  How do I file a complaint if I think I have been cheated?
    A: 
    The first thing to do is to get as much information as possible. Know the pump number, the grade of gas, the checkstand number, the aisle number where the item is located, the address of the establishment, and any other information you think might be pertinent. Call our office with this information at (661) 868-6300 or e-mail the department at agcomm@kerncounty.com for assistance. We would like to have your address and daytime phone number. However, you may remain anonymous if you wish. Complaints are vital to our department. We take all complaints very seriously, and we respond to these as quickly as we can.
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    Q:  Where do I send payment or correspondence for the Measurement Standards division?
    A: 

    Address all payment and correspondence to:

    Kern County Department of Agriculture and Measurement Standards
    1001 South Mount Vernon Avenue
    Bakersfield, CA 93307
    Phone: (661)868-6300
    Fax: (661)868-6301
    TTY Relay: (800)735-2929
    Payment to the Weights and Measures division should be made out to: Kern County Department of Agriculture.

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    Q:  I have an 18 gallon gas tank, but the pump says I put 18.5 gallons into my empty tank. Is this possible?
    A: 
    Yes. The capacity of your gasoline tank found in your owners manual is only an estimate. The actual volume it holds can be higher or lower than the stated capacity. If you still feel that you are being cheated, contact our office to file a complaint.
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    Q:  How often do you check commercial weighing and measuring devices and gas stations?
    A: 
    We inspect these annually. To determine if we have certified the device look for a current Weights and Measures seal.
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    Q:  What are the dimensions of a cord of wood?
    A: 
    128 cubic feet. Stack your wood neatly by placing the wood in a row, with the pieces touching and parallel to each other, and with as few gaps as possible. Multiply the length times the width times the height of the stack. If this equals 128 cubic feet, then you have a cord of wood. Common measurements of a cord of wood are 8 feet by 4 feet by 4 feet and 16 feet by 2 feet by 4 feet.
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    Q:  Do you test utility meters?
    A: 
    We only inspect electric, vapor (gas), and water meters that utility companies do not. An example of these meters is a mobile home park in which there is a master meter and an individual submeter at each mobile home. We test the submeters and a utility company (such as PG&E) tests the master meter. We test these submeters every ten years.
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    Q:  How can I avoid being overcharged at the register?
    A: 
    The best way to avoid being overcharged is to make a list of all the items you are going to purchase and write down the shelf price of each item. Compare the prices you wrote down to the prices you are charged.
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    Q:  What steps can I take to prevent being cheated at a gas station?
    A: 
    Verify that the advertised sign and the pump price are the same. Make sure the pump starts at zero. Know the estimated capacity of your gasoline tank. Make sure a current Measurement Standards seal is visible on the pump.
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    Q:  What is tare weight?
    A: 
    This is the weight of all wrapping, packaging, or any other material used to contain or transport the product. Items must be sold by net weight (the weight of the product itself). Selling a product by gross weight (net weight plus tare weight) is illegal.
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    Q:  What do you do if you find a device in error?
    A: 
    We RED TAG the device. This means that the device is placed out of service until it is repaired by a certified device repairman. After the device has been repaired, we recheck it to verify that it is in compliance.
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    Q:  What steps can I take to prevent being shorted on a weighing or measuring device?
    A: 
    Make sure the device is on a level surface and you can see the display. The instrument must start at zero. There should not be anything touching the device. Watch the person doing the weighing or measuring to make sure that nothing extra is added. Verify there is a current Measurement Standards seal on the device.
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    Q:  What should I do if I am overcharged?
    A: 
    If there is a discrepancy notify the cashier. If the cashier does not change the price ask to speak with the manager. If the manager cannot or will not change the price for you contact the Measurement Standards division at (661)868-6300 or e-mail the department at agcomm@kerncounty.com for assistance. We take all complaints very seriously, and we respond to these as quickly as we can.
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    Q:  How do I protect myself when buying firewood?
    A: 
    A cord, like other measurements such as foot, gallon, or ton, is defined by law. A seller may not legitimately use terms such as "truckload," "face cord," "rack," or "pile" because these terms have no legally defined meaning and, therefore, you have no way of determining how much firewood you are actually receiving. If a seller uses such terms, it should alert you to a possible problem. Wood can only be sold by the cord or fraction of a cord. When you buy firewood make sure to get a receipt which shows the seller's name and address, as well as the price, amount, and kind of wood purchased. If possible, get the seller's phone number and write down the license plate number of the delivery vehicle. When the wood is delivered, ask the seller to stack it (you may have to pay extra for this service) or stack the wood yourself. Measure the wood before using any. If the cubic measurement indicates that you did not receive the correct volume, contact the seller before you burn any wood. If the seller can't or won't correct the problem, contact the Measurement Standards division at (661)868-6300 or e-mail the department at agcomm@kerncounty.com for assistance.
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