Kern County will not go back to performing civil wedding ceremonies. On Tuesday, most of the Board of Supervisors backed the decision by Kern County Clerk Ann Barnett to stop providing the service.

Barnett announced the end of civil weddings just before a State Supreme Court order went into effect, requiring counties to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. She cited space, security and budget problems.

Tuesday, the board considered whether to ask a clerk from another county to deputize Kern County employees from other departments to perform the weddings. But, a number of speakers told the board they disagreed with that idea.

"The (Supreme Court) ruling only forces the issuing of licenses by Ann Barnett," Paul Stine told the board. "Then when 80-percent of the county voters passed Prop 22 -- why should the County of Kern facilitate and perform homosexual marriages with San Bernardino's help, or other entities' help? It doesn't make sense to me."

Other speakers echoed that. But Second District Supervisor Don Maben said something was being left out of the discussion.

"It's the 2,000 heterosexual couples who have received civil ceremonies in this county every year," said Maben. "People who could not afford, or maybe would not want a service by somebody else."

Supervisor Michael Rubio thinks many minority couples got married by the county. "The majority of them are Latino families from East Bakersfield, Southeast Bakersfield, Lamont, Arvin, Delano, the west side of Kern County," said Rubio. "That's who's being discriminated against today."

But people who spoke to the board insisted Barnett was elected Clerk, and the decision to end the civil wedding ceremonies was part of her job. Third District Supervisor Mike Maggard agreed.

"Ann Barnett is the representative of the State of California to make this decision in Kern County," said Maggard. "She made a decision, whether you like her decision or not -- it's her decision to make, and I support her."

Supervisor Jon McQuiston said he hasn't seen evidence ending the civil marriage ceremonies represents a hardship to local couples, and Supervisor Ray Watson said he thinks there are other low-cost options for marriage ceremonies.

Maben then withdrew his motion to explore whether the San Bernardino County Clerk would deputize other Kern County employees to perform the civil wedding services.

Supervisor Watson was among the board members noting the issue of gay marriage goes to state voters in November.

"I just think we ought to wait until November and find out the results of the election," said Watson.

In November, voters will consider Proposition 8 -- which would amend the State constitution to define marriage as only between a man and a woman.

As for trying to do that at a local level. On Tuesday, Kern's supervisors decided not to move forward with a proposed local ordinance to define marriage as only between a man and a woman.

Kern County Counsel Bernard Barmann said in his report, the proposed ordinance is "patently unconstitutional."

But, Supervisor Rubio is still troubled by ending civil wedding ceremonies performed by the county. "On November 4th, if that initiative passes, if Proposition 8 passes -- would we re-instate this service? he asked.

"Because up until this issue came to light, this was a great service we provided to the people of Kern County."