[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6658538,"mediaKeyId","3869074-eb224f77a6ebb8b27f7208d29af973ac","parentId",3869074,"title","Votes at a glance: Wasco council approves bikeway grant application, salary schedule and consent calendar; closed session grants 4% COLA","audioSeconds",217,"startMs",1939000,"endMs",2156000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3869074-eb224f77a6ebb8b27f7208d29af973ac&start=1939&end=2156","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3869074-eb224f77a6ebb8b27f7208d29af973ac/thumbnail_1939000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6658538/Wasco-City/Kern-County/California/Votes-at-a-glance-Wasco-council-approves-bikeway-grant-application-salary-schedule-and-consent-calendar-closed-session-grants-4-COLA","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6658538-c3c5a22964b8c9384ec02b49a3ebfe70/orig.mp4?Expires=1773578426&Signature=oanBmKCvaxHg8ugmHiYdY-1J1qT39oF6SL62PRcdx8of5jDmnGiHmbSXlDVihq6Rsgi7lKs1V3qTi6NsSmS6WPsr9IyTDxd-sB88iIerCcMu5DbT5gNghZ~iNr3k7rpFMYkdquc3YLD~-07jdvIIWMyLVOvMJDaoiLsmD9UdgzOdbf4QGKSW39Rgq7YXSzuxrI0036aqxXyMytxDo8l7f4f2f8fs9Cr0f9drEnUIQfDuwkp6KF-Gw7pACVo8G1pUgWYPgt8M9AUziVD6QQjH8zNV7kbV0dvlh1Hyo1lAbVNvZUPNopxbUb98Qhnuw9B0Sfq1So5P8rmO~hYs2wenfA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Wasco","date","2025-06-17T00:00:00Z","article","The Wasco City Council on June 17 took several unanimous actions during its meeting. Key outcomes:

- Bikeway incentive application (15A): The council adopted a resolution authorizing staff to submit an application to the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District's bikeway incentive program to fund bicycle facilities identified in the city's bike master plan. Council members discussed map notations indicating unfinished Class 2 and Class 3 bike lanes and confirmed the resolution would authorize the city manager or designee to execute grant agreements and associated budget adjustments. The council noted the program maximum is up to $150,000 annually per agency; staff said the requested amount will depend on needs.

- Salary schedule and COLA (15B; closed session report): In closed session the council voted unanimously to grant a 4% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to SEIU-represented employees, Wasco Public Police Officers Association employees, unrepresented staff, and the city manager. In open session the council adopted a resolution to publish the city's FY 2025'26 salary schedule for CalPERS compliance reflecting the 4% COLA so pay schedules would be publicly available and to avoid retroactive-pay issues. Staff said the salary-schedule action is a CalPERS requirement and will become effective July 1.

- Consent calendar: The council approved the consent calendar items (11a'11m) in a single unanimous motion.

Votes were taken by roll call and recorded as unanimous for the items listed above; the council did not record any votes against or abstentions on these matters.

(For fuller context and discussion, see related council items in the meeting record: the bikeway-item presentation, the closed-session report on COLA and the separate budget adoption vote.)","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Wasco - City Council - Jun 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Wasco City Council on June 17 unanimously approved an application to the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District for bikeway incentives, adopted a salary schedule reflecting a 4% COLA and approved the consent calendar.","taxTitle","Wasco City, Kern County, California","taxId",68639,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6658543,"Kern County Fire and Wasco Police report May–June incidents; council debates fireworks enforcement and outreach",251,1093000,1344000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3869074-eb224f77a6ebb8b27f7208d29af973ac&start=1093&end=1344","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3869074-eb224f77a6ebb8b27f7208d29af973ac/thumbnail_1093000.jpg","/articles/6658543/Wasco-City/Kern-County/California/Kern-County-Fire-and-Wasco-Police-report-MayJune-incidents-council-debates-fireworks-enforcement-and-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6658543-3e3159559b1bad0e0c859fb1be55c157/orig.mp4?Expires=1773578426&Signature=kzm2twL8E8ZHmVbth7YNY~m3ary2-TAA9c7dtJO8M6HQr1ddRbg4tMlSCAdf~mR71ufXv-JTcP~zjdLFzFrlr0VRv-7EgjDesLHWXoo6p8MNljUzBicykO1WdAX1w3s4pFOrQLXYASDIa1N5ptt8ih9ChqAjkT2-d8yey0TD5awzzwVD1ib9atSpgibO0sMtUG4mB5-FTRgvEe6WTsQ5PK5nXp-pAcmnJRVstgakZ4pAf4qgK0eXfOJAIJ30rmVx8Xcs6WqNGpwuCRjnZdyrII-y~lx6UoVmYttaci7pC-PaW4-E1Dlb2Sa1LAvQpYmfoagUdi~0HkuotEhx5Iw82Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kern County Fire and Wasco Police briefed the Wasco City Council on public-safety activity and operations on June 17, and council members discussed enforcement options for illegal fireworks as the July 4 holiday approaches.

Kern County Fire Chief Albertson told the council there were 165 total incidents in Wasco during May: 17 fires, 98 medical calls and 50 other calls. He said an incident outside of town (off Gun Club Road) did not affect the city and that the fire department continues routine operations.

Assistant Chief Mora reported police activity for early June through June 17: 936 total incidents during the period, 572 calls for service, 364 officer-initiated incidents, 57 arrests and nine stolen-vehicle reports (eight recoveries). Mora said officers Uribe and Cook were recognized by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) for DUI enforcement; he said one officer had recorded 25 DUI arrests year-to-date and another 12.

Council members asked whether local police or probation had been contacted by federal immigration authorities; Assistant Chief Mora said the department had not been asked to assist ICE and that the department would consider requests case by case and would not participate in civil immigration-only arrests.

Council discussion focused heavily on illegal fireworks enforcement as the July 4 holiday neared. Chief Albertson said investigators would use methods similar to prior years to locate illegal fireworks users but that fire crews would not enforce fireworks violations where doing so would be unsafe. Council members and staff discussed several outreach and enforcement options:

- Door hangers distributed to households with information on where to report illegal fireworks (the council discussed repeating a door-hanger campaign used several years ago). Council Member Reyna volunteered to distribute door hangers in her district if staff printed them.

- A short social-media public-service advertisement (PSA) targeted by paid promotion on platforms like YouTube and Facebook; staff said budget authority exists for some promotional spending.

- Signage and handouts at legal fireworks booths to remind buyers that aerial or explosive fireworks are illegal.

Staff said they are coordinating messages with the fire department public-information officer and will post information on the city website. Chief Albertson and councilors noted that measuring the direct effect of outreach is difficult.

The council also discussed other public-safety items noted in staff reports: ongoing water-main valve replacements with short planned shutdowns and neighborhood notifications, and coordination on patrols during a community beautification event.

Councilors asked staff to follow up with specific implementation steps, including printing materials, coordinating with the police chief on presence at outreach events and using the city's social channels for paid promotion.","Kern County Fire reported 165 incidents in May in Wasco; Wasco Police reported 936 incidents through mid-June, dozens of arrests and DUI enforcement recognized by MADD. Council discussed illegal fireworks response options including investigations, door hangers and a social-media PSA.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6658548,"Wasco council adopts conservative FY 2025–26 operating budget and six-year capital program",728,2348000,3076000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3869074-eb224f77a6ebb8b27f7208d29af973ac&start=2348&end=3076","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3869074-eb224f77a6ebb8b27f7208d29af973ac/thumbnail_2348000.jpg","/articles/6658548/Wasco-City/Kern-County/California/Wasco-council-adopts-conservative-FY-202526-operating-budget-and-six-year-capital-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6658548-6869d10d6205939ec81e817fa26162c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1773578426&Signature=SaKRm9oYX0DT4whttUf8Hyx9Abt2wdd1UJQdQDoTWfe8ivXEsFPg4hdkFj49SlNT01ytQar8l~tsaX8j2Zvfy01ZQNjA~btvQPBtpk91qUvYlnEIr1Y4132XoZ6rzU1mTWJHPwjXr-y49AKnBzBvhELguO9mpVtPmtYbgYUweoxiYYa5PznBMAFYUdpOlYScKv7fbi-DEQDEeslXevHxTboHXA3m~sUancdJJHwSQXpjoDTnYUTlRABZGCNte8rS4mTU~Tfb7~7cbbQhWUx8VZqhsp81~17tDuSC1Wpi6ey-I55jLr7FwdilVRTPBkzi5Mh8rmLS78nXMeIWWcnfGQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Wasco City Council on June 17 adopted the city's fiscal year 2025–26 operating budget and the 2025–2030 capital improvement program.

City staff framed the budget as intentionally conservative in the face of economic uncertainty. A budget presentation said staff used two guiding principles: conservative revenue projections (staff cited consultant HDL's projection that revenues would be flat) and disciplined operating expense control to avoid overcommitments. Staff said mid-year recalibration would allow adjustments if revenues diverge from projections.

The presentation noted enterprise funds will enter a new cycle of rate studies to determine whether user rates should change. Staff also described personnel and organizational changes included in the draft budget: restoring an accounting manager role that had been frozen in prior years to increase financial capacity, continued vacancy management for certain positions in police and public works, and succession planning in the police department that affects whether an assistant police chief position will be filled immediately. Staff said budgeting for vacancies makes it easier to recruit and fill positions without returning to council for frequent budget amendments.

Council members asked about specific line items and sought clarifications. Council Member Reyna requested a correction to an erroneous fiscal year reference on page 120 of the agenda packet; staff agreed to correct the year. Council members asked for follow-up information on unfilled positions and the expected timeline for public-works and police staffing changes.

During discussion members noted public safety remains the city's largest expenditure. Staff said the public-safety budget has increased compared with last year and that ongoing costs tied to recent contract changes have contributed to higher projected public-safety spending. The council voted unanimously to adopt the budget.

The council also discussed capital and maintenance items mentioned in the budget presentation, including systematic valve replacements in the water system and a planned sidewalk/ADA ramp program phased over multiple years. Staff said valve work would be phased and that residents would be notified before short shutdowns required for valve replacements.

The adoption vote was taken by roll call. The mayor and all council members voted aye.","The Wasco City Council adopted the city's FY 2025–26 operating budget and the 2025–2030 capital improvement program, with staff emphasizing a conservative revenue projection, a mid-year recalibration plan and upcoming rate studies for enterprise funds.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6658553,"Unwire Broadband says fiber-to-the-home work under way in Wasco, commits to monthly council updates",163,607000,770000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3869074-eb224f77a6ebb8b27f7208d29af973ac&start=607&end=770","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3869074-eb224f77a6ebb8b27f7208d29af973ac/thumbnail_607000.jpg","/articles/6658553/Wasco-City/Kern-County/California/Unwire-Broadband-says-fiber-to-the-home-work-under-way-in-Wasco-commits-to-monthly-council-updates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6658553-3263194c77698f1cf3fc7ebb4c10efbe/orig.mp4?Expires=1773578426&Signature=E7xWdiT2E2~f9B8LtrLOevy2m1buA51SRAJq4jBmnexK-KsIIJxDveEh83gKkp2hjZ3dUo6jj1BFSubVEt8ht0j1gftWmRLNWRP-E7ZrtwaV5rBZWQNWtLA~Eyptz-KjnIMivmhcu-wX1ZgnXIOs7k5g1M1gqLQkvs7U6ktKSjmBSTWrGr-MdFHmPkl5dHsRwhsp2SF1H7GQLKj7O5zXxxh6Scg7bNn-iQGgPX-IKVcvaPxZ0DTAp8-CiO7Qdjw6y-Rr-PHuaVzdTOHXlz50K4DTGrfjN5oDybh5iDHR0~tZfWZ~3PYE0ubcfvp42elA4hRwqwksVDmRuLY0nysfKw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Unwire Broadband told the Wasco City Council on June 17 that it has started underground construction for a fiber-to-the-home network in Wasco and expects to begin service in parts of the city within months.

John Majors, vice president of operations for Unwire Broadband, said the full project will encompass roughly 410,000 feet of underground construction and that crews have completed about 4,200 feet so far, “a little over 1% of the project.” He said early work focused on utility locates and potholing to avoid striking existing underground infrastructure.

Majors said the company has nearly finished work at its central office \"which is essentially the hub for the entire network\" near the water tower and will provide redundant backhaul connections there. He said the rollout is organized into distribution areas, with the first areas on the south side of town expected to go live next month, followed by central, north and west areas.

Council members asked about schedule and reporting. Majors said the target completion is “tentatively February 2026” (he also referenced January/February 2026) and said that underground unknowns can affect timing. He offered to appear regularly at council meetings; council members requested monthly updates. Majors said Unwire would provide monthly council updates and maintain a public progress map on the company website that shows distribution-area start dates and tentative completion windows.

Majors described customer outreach plans: door hangers before construction in an area with a QR code linking to construction information, yellow signs with start and end dates when work begins, on-site supervisors to handle citizen concerns and a social-media feed tied to the project website. He named a fiber supervisor, Johnny Tonoco, as a field contact for residents.

Council members thanked the company and several said they look forward to connecting when service becomes available.","Unwire Broadband told the Wasco City Council it has begun underground construction for a fiber-to-the-home network, has completed about 4,200 of roughly 410,000 feet of work, and will provide monthly status reports and online maps showing distribution-area schedules.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Wasco council approves bikeway grant application, salary schedule and consent calendar; closed session grants 4% COLA

Kern County Fire and Wasco Police report May–June incidents; council debates fireworks enforcement and outreach

Wasco council adopts conservative FY 2025–26 operating budget and six-year capital program

Unwire Broadband says fiber-to-the-home work under way in Wasco, commits to monthly council updates