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City presents CSUB student needs assessment: residents name social services, facilities and economic development as top needs
Summary
City staff presented results of a needs‑assessment survey conducted by CSUB students at the Gramá Festival; survey respondents prioritized social and public services, community facilities and infrastructure, and economic development.
City staff on June 23 presented a needs‑assessment compiled by a California State University, Bakersfield College of Business and Public Administration cohort that surveyed festival attendees at the city’s inaugural Gramá Festival.
Presenter Melissa told the council the voluntary survey gathered 61 responses. Respondent demographics roughly matched the city profile: about 72% reported English as their language, 28% Spanish; approximately 52% of respondents were under 35. The students focused on two principal metrics: existing programs and community challenges.
Survey respondents ranked their top three concern areas as social and public services, community facilities and infrastructure, and economic development. Specific items residents flagged included requests for job creation and job‑readiness programs, grants or loans and training for small businesses, new community centers and childcare, healthcare facilities, parks and recreation, and street, water and sewer improvements. Several respondents suggested a public pool or additional cooling centers.
On transit and safety, roughly one quarter of respondents reported having used the city’s transit services and expressed a desire for expanded service. On public‑safety perceptions, 83% of respondents agreed with the statement “I feel safe in McFarland,” though the students noted a quarter of respondents had witnessed potentially dangerous situations near one or both overpasses.
Melissa and staff said the results will inform grant applications and the city’s economic development plan, which Economic Development Manager Paul Saldana is scheduled to present next month. Council members praised the student work and encouraged continued community participation in surveys, which staff said is important evidence when applying for grants.
Councilors asked questions; staff noted that the student cohort was four people and two were unavailable for tonight’s meeting. Council thanked the students and staff for the work and reiterated that the findings will be used to prioritize investments and support upcoming grant applications.
