Cal. Government Code § 56328.5

(a) In Kern County, the commission, which consists of seven members, augmented pursuant to Section 56332, shall be additionally augmented by the appointment of an eighth member and a ninth member. (b) The eighth member shall, notwithstanding subdivision (b) of Section 56325, be a member of the legislative body of the city in the county having the largest population, appointed by the legislative body of that city. The legislative body of the city shall appoint an alternate member at the same time and in the same manner as it appoints the eighth regular member. If the regular city member is absent from a commission meeting, or disqualifies himself or herself from participating in a meeting, the alternate member may serve and vote in place of the regular city member for that meeting. If the office of the regular city member becomes vacant, the alternate member may serve and vote in place of the former regular city member until the appointment and qualification of a regular city member to fill the vacancy. (c) The ninth member shall represent the general public, but shall not be a member of the governing body of any local agency. The ninth member shall be appointed by the four members of the commission appointed by the county supervisors and the independent special district selection committee. Those commission members may also appoint an alternate public member, who is not a member of the governing body of any local agency, who may serve and vote in the place of the regular public member appointed pursuant to this subdivision if that regular public member is absent or disqualifies himself or herself from participating in a meeting of the commission. If the office of the regular public member appointed pursuant to this subdivision becomes vacant, the alternate member may serve and vote in place of that former regular public member until the appointment and qualification of a regular public member pursuant to this subdivision to fill the vacancy.