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

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.