Bakersfield council hears strong public push on trees, surveillance and parks as staff presents balanced FY2026–27 budget

City staff on June 10 presented a proposed FY2026–27 budget that officials described as balanced and responsive to public priorities, while residents urged greater investment in trees, parks and oversight of surveillance technology.

The city manager, Christian Clegg, and finance staff outlined a proposed budget that totals about $441 million for the general fund and $926 million across all funds, noting a $14.5 million revenue increase from the prior year and planned personnel reductions that include eliminating 72 vacant positions to save roughly $9.4 million. Finance director Randy McKegan said staff proposed four options to preserve six fire rescue positions — including using contingency funds, reallocating CIP dollars, pulling from the hiring-freeze savings, or drawing on the rainy-day fund — and asked council to consider the options after public comment.

Why it matters: speakers said the choices signal the city’s priorities. Dozens urged that the budget prioritize investments that address life-and-death concerns — from traffic safety to neighborhood parks and shade — and asked the council to use near-term funds to protect emergency response and expand tree canopy in underserved wards.

Public testimony highlighted several recurring concerns. Jovan Dangerfield, executive director of Time for Change, urged the council to keep a proposed $3 million allocation for renovation of Martin Luther King Jr. Park and told the council that investing in the park would send an important message to East Bakersfield youth. “If we can invest this $3,000,000, give this area of the city a chance … it will let them know that we love them and that Bakersfield cares,” he said.

Other speakers pressed the council over surveillance. Jason Cosper, citing public records he said showed hundreds of license-plate-camera feeds, asked the council to halt any expansion of the Flock Safety contract, publish camera locations and usage logs, and require annual audits and public hearings before renewal. “Halt the expansion and end the contract,” Cosper said. Librarian Ariel Dyer told the council she opposed further camera expansion without voter input, saying surveillance “offers too much power to be implemented” without more oversight.

Several advocates focused on trees and heat mitigation: members of the Sierra Club, Audubon Society and neighborhood volunteers urged adoption of a tree plan, criticized recent removals and asked for more planting in wards with the lowest canopy cover. A city staff briefing said the city planted 1,225 trees in 2025 and about 708 so far in 2026 and that staff have committed to planting more trees than are removed each year "as long as there's sufficient budget." Vice Mayor Gore asked city staff to bring people and data into follow-up discussions; staff said the tree advisory group’s recommendations have been adopted in many contract and planting practices and that further inventory and planting strategies are being developed.

Council and staff responses and next steps: Councilmembers thanked speakers and said they would review the community feedback before the budget vote. Councilmember Gonzales confirmed the $3 million MLK line-item remained in staff’s recommendation. City manager Clegg said council members can propose revisions before a final vote scheduled for June 24. The council moved to receive public testimony on the budget; council will consider adjustments between now and the adoption vote.

What’s next: The council will return June 24 to vote on the proposed FY2026–27 budget. Staff said follow-up briefings will include details on Flock Safety policy work and the tree advisory group’s inventory plans.