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

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.