Kern County board receives $4.01 billion preliminary budget that preserves public safety, flags ARPA cliff for homelessness programs

The Kern County Board of Supervisors on June 24 received a preliminary recommended budget of $4.01 billion for fiscal year 2025–26 that county staff said preserves core services while reflecting shrinking revenues and the upcoming expiration of one-time federal and state grants.

County Budget Director Alex Alba said the proposed total represents a 1.7% decrease (about $70.7 million) from the current year and that the plan does not rely on general-fund reserves or include a July cost-of-living adjustment. "We are pleased to present you with a balanced preliminary recommended budget for fiscal year 25–26," Alba told the board.

The recommendation maintains investments in public safety and other Measure K priorities while identifying funding gaps for public health and programs supported by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and other time-limited sources. County Administrative Officer Elsa Martinez told supervisors the board will get additional budget updates before final adoption in August and has several public hearings and an evening meeting scheduled for community comment.

Key figures and choices - Total preliminary recommended budget: $4,010,000,000 (a 1.7% decrease from prior year). - Discretionary revenue: $579.1 million, including $63.8 million from Measure K (unincorporated-area 1¢ sales tax). - No use of general-fund reserves and no July COLA included in the preliminary recommendation. - Net increase of $1.3 million in salaries and benefits to backfill critical vacancies in the…