Supervisors have opted to delay a discussion on whether to privatize Kern County’s library system after after listening to roughly two hours of public comment against the plans.Administrative officer John Nilon says staffers will be taking public comment over the next two months at many of the 25 county-operated libraries.

“We can be there just to listen – we’re not going to be there to promote ideas – but just listen (and) to express concerns,” he said.

But supervisors on Tuesday also said they’re not closing the book on privatization yet. The county is expecting less tax revenue because of low oil prices and is trying to slash expenses wherever possible.

– Anthony Pollreisz