[{"_1":2,"_86":-5,"_87":-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",[32,74],{"_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":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6485086,"mediaKeyId","5489221-9a1402bba08abd7ebae4c1260af844e0","parentId",5489221,"title","Public health funding shortfalls and potential layoffs draw community concern at Kern County budget hearing","audioSeconds",108,"startMs",3208000,"endMs",3316000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5489221-9a1402bba08abd7ebae4c1260af844e0&start=3208&end=3316","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5489221-9a1402bba08abd7ebae4c1260af844e0/thumbnail_3208000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6485086/Kern-County/California/Public-health-funding-shortfalls-and-potential-layoffs-draw-community-concern-at-Kern-County-budget-hearing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6485086-5d0a10724c896a2d887b2ceb9392a9ab/orig.mp4?Expires=1774922223&Signature=e3mhVljTC3cOybxUYrjnoBikyJDxMyDr4bEpfelJUlnlGULZdzzCkmUzMMkBhxJsiPl~0lN7JZyFSrs9yMBg0pCk1qAo-5-dIIdR4~vQ6brP7Uv-ZLRzSTUDXvQcDu5qRQyjut9zJ9GW~9Z7XbrfsglXkesw9aaTZbQxUthehgDjGGK-MRujOrSUUrJkNejl24pv8fa6EBHO3MOSz0DnmAiAtDCcgJrzOd7jUGkg5StbmBdtcbEhf44uOr7WRWUYFZ4-LoHlWV3gu4QxI9pBkoLhTk1YeW~ErN5ue7shi47HVks3ndukRQvwMWOh04DUW6b3e5hTZQukWIujOOoJXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-25T19:44:49Z","article","BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — County staff told the Kern County Board of Supervisors on July 28 that public health programs face immediate revenue risks after a stop-work notice tied to federal CDC funding and larger federal legislative changes, prompting several public speakers to urge the board not to cut services or lay off staff.

Elsa Martinez, speaking for the County Administrative Office, said the California Department of Public Health received a federal \"stop work order\" effective March 23 that \"impacted multiple CDC funding streams\" and that the county's public health department identified about $10,500,000 in revenue losses connected to that action. Martinez said an additional $2,000,000 in already-obligated but unreimbursed funds are not likely to be recovered and cited another $2,200,000 reduction tied to the state budget.

Martinez said litigation is underway in some states challenging the federal action but that the timing of outcomes and any reimbursements are uncertain. She told the board staff would bring mitigation recommendations at an upcoming hearing to review the department's response to the revenue shortfall.

Public reaction and employee concerns
Community speakers and a long-term county employee urged the supervisors to protect public health staff and services. Janine Adams, a Tehachapi resident, questioned whether layoffs were \"prudent\" and urged the board to use reserve funds in uncertain times: \"Is that prudent?\" she asked the board in reference to possible layoffs.

A county employee with 19 years of service, Karen Bessard, described the potential human cost of cuts and said employees and the public depend on continuity of services. Bessard warned that deleting vacant positions and freezing cost-of-living adjustments would leave remaining staff overburdened and could delay essential services across departments.

Student speaker Omar Espinosa and others said proposed reductions would meaningfully reduce public health capacity. \"Removing critical health infrastructure should not be treated as an acceptable change,\" Espinosa said, summarizing figures in the preliminary budget that he said would cut public health funding from $51,100,000 to $38,200,000 and eliminate more than 35 staff positions (the speaker said about 27 layoffs would begin in mid-August due to vacancies and funding timing).

Board response and next steps
Martinez told the board the county will consider a separate hearing the following day to review department actions to mitigate revenue losses and to determine next steps on potential service reductions or staffing changes. No formal vote on departmental staffing was taken July 28; the board received the presentation and public comments and directed staff to prepare final budget amendments for the August 26 hearing.

Ending: County staff committed to returning with mitigation options and budget amendments; litigation and federal/state policy decisions could alter the county's exposure and final recommendations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Kern County Board of Supervisors Evening Budget Meeting for Monday, July 28, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","County staff told supervisors a CDPH stop-work notice and federal legislative changes could cost the county millions in public health funding; residents and county employees urged the board to avoid layoffs and use reserves.","taxTitle","Kern County, California","taxId",2913,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6485091,"Kern County supervisors receive preliminary FY 2025–26 budget update; board accepts report, will finalize in August",1409,2142000,3551000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5489221-9a1402bba08abd7ebae4c1260af844e0&start=2142&end=3551","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5489221-9a1402bba08abd7ebae4c1260af844e0/thumbnail_2142000.jpg","/articles/6485091/Kern-County/California/Kern-County-supervisors-receive-preliminary-FY-202526-budget-update-board-accepts-report-will-finalize-in-August","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6485091-590e4942d1f1ca88c810b70e341f10b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1774922223&Signature=eCWQ8XSP93HqDrQCtrk1jChVRnMppcfIHKaF6mAaYgNg8X6~cdhaxbQ9lPZbae4QC5uQlMk9fXqO8pJtyBDlJhAa8jV3WdCHerExipPKvagYfXAmnBixf3O2GptMBAXmBM-TmKOGp6EPpYYoLchEG3F83gQmn0kaDgdWQ14-gRNMVp8D7N~fhK9c0GlBxYoSPBryJ0KGd~1kGKhe8PkmiToeyUy9aLCUVWVqIF~hz1Jiv0iwS~n0vjTFBS4T5M84pxoe8JYV3tv0WzUTvEXZJqNOS0hlnkFSqfs0j9KueYi1jAwnt4p0iEsq~L-YlzyNzrUDUZuUqb8r3QH3DikaoA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Kern County officials on July 28 presented an updated preliminary recommended budget for fiscal year 2025–26 and received public comment before formally receiving and filing the report.

The presentation by Elsa Martinez of the County Administrative Office and budget director Alex Alba showed a recommended total budget of $4,010,000,000, a net reduction of approximately $70,700,000 from the prior year, with most decreases tied to the spend-down of one-time federal American Rescue Plan Act funds and lower Mental Health Services Act and public safety realignment carry-forwards. \"This is not the only opportunity to comment on the budget,\" Martinez told the board and the public, stressing the document remains subject to change.

Why it matters: county staff said revenue remains broadly flat in the near term and flagged a series of federal and state changes that could reduce funding for local programs. The board and staff emphasized preserving core services while using one-time carry-forward balances for one-time capital and maintenance projects.

Key figures and proposed adjustments
- Preliminary recommended total: $4.01 billion; general fund appropriations down by about $37.8 million.
- Final assessed valuation: $129,000,000,000 (an increase of about 2.57% from earlier estimates), driven by a 4.3% rise in residential and commercial valuations offset in part by a 12.32% decline in oil and gas valuations.
- Carry forward (net fund balance) estimated at $51,000,000 (final audit pending in December).
- Additional discretionary revenue vs. the preliminary estimate: roughly $6,000,000 when factoring property tax changes and estimated solar project fees.

Selected recommended allocations (ongoing and one-time)
- $1,500,000 increase for the county-managed graffiti abatement program.
- $300,000 for the energy defense program (noted as a 4% increase tied to Prop 36 case load impacts).
- $4,000,000 for sheriff/coroner salaries and benefits to cover filling vacancies and stabilized attrition.
- $3,200,000 (one-time) to replace high-mileage sheriff patrol vehicles.
- $110,000 for elections infrastructure and $80,000 for a customized legislative tracking system; $1,000,000 held in contingency for possible election-related overages.
- $4,600,000 for health benefit and payroll system updates and continued phased ERP implementation.
- $21,900,000 recommended for major maintenance and capital projects (roofs, HVAC, generators, ADA work and other legally required work).
- $17,000,000 increase in the general liability designation to respond to rising claims and insurance costs.

Measure K and fire fund
County staff estimated a $20,200,000 net carry forward in Measure K funds. Of that, $2,200,000 is recommended for one-time park improvement projects (resurfacing courts, restroom renovations, inclusive play equipment); the remaining $18,100,000 is proposed for a Measure K fiscal stability reserve. The fire fund's updated outlook adds about $700,000 in property tax revenue and, combined with a $22,600,000 carry forward, yields about $23,300,000 available; staff recommended roughly $14,000,000 for capital and replacement (including $11,100,000 for fire truck and engine replacement) and $4,000,000 for critical support needs such as pilot training and a new hangar at Meadows Field.

Federal and state developments
Staff warned of several federal and state changes that could affect county finances, including the July 4 legislation referenced in the presentation (referred to in the meeting as \"HR 1\"), which staff said introduces fiscal shifts affecting Medicaid, uncompensated indigent care, and SNAP administration. Staff also described a stop-work notice from the California Department of Public Health that has affected federal CDC funding streams for local public health programs. Martinez told the board staff were \"actively working with departments to assess the local implications and will return to the board with necessary adjustments.\"

Public comment and standing concerns
Dozens of residents and community advocates spoke during the evening hearing. Speakers urged the board to prioritize parks (including specific requests for Valley Acres Park funding and a commercial swing set), road repairs and striping, senior food delivery, library bookmobile access, vegetative barriers to reduce pesticide drift, and investments to support homeless and foster youth through career technical education pipelines. Several speakers raised concerns about proposed public health program reductions and potential layoffs.

Student speaker Omar Espinosa, identified as a UC Berkeley student and Kern County native, summarized projected public health cuts in the preliminary document and urged the board to reconsider those reductions: \"I urge this board to take a very, very hard look at what this budget sends across California, and what kind of Kern County that we're choosing to build,\" he said.

Board action and next steps
After the presentation and public comment, the board moved to receive and file the preliminary recommended budget and the public record of comments. Supervisor David Couch made the motion to receive and file; the motion was seconded and approved by the board. Staff said they will rebalance the preliminary budget after tomorrow's morning session and return to the board with final amendments ahead of the final budget hearings on August 26.

The board adjourned with plans to reconvene at 9 a.m. the following day for the regular board meeting.

Ending: County staff will update the board at the August budget hearings with any required adjustments; final audited carry-forward figures will be available after the county controller completes the year-end audit in December.","At an evening budget hearing July 28, county staff presented a revised preliminary FY 2025–26 recommended budget totaling $4.01 billion, outlined one-time and ongoing adjustments and federal/state risks, and accepted public comment; the board voted to receive and file the presentation and will consider final amendments at August hearings.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public health funding shortfalls and potential layoffs draw community concern at Kern County budget hearing

Kern County supervisors receive preliminary FY 2025–26 budget update; board accepts report, will finalize in August