There are 11 incorporated cities in Kern County. Kern LAFCo is responsible for many tasks that affect local government in Kern County cities: 

• Approving or disapproving jurisdictional changes - Kern LAFCo approves or disapproves proposals for changes to the boundaries and organization of cities. 
• Conducting municipal service reviews - Kern LAFCo conducts municipal service reviews to confirm that services are available and sufficient to support changes in boundaries. 
• Establishing spheres of influence - Kern LAFCo establishs and update's SOI's for cities  at least every five years. SOIs are plans for the probable physical boundaries and service area of a local agency. 
• Conducting special studies - Kern LAFCo conducts special studies to review ways to reorganize, simplify, and streamline governmental structure. 
• Discouraging urban sprawl - Kern LAFCo is responsible for discouraging urban sprawl and encouraging the orderly formation and development of local agencies. 

Kern LAFCo's efforts are directed toward seeing that services are provided efficiently and economically.