Council approves $900K reallocation to Rancho Tree Service amid public procurement concerns

The Bakersfield City Council on June 10 approved an amendment to Rancho Tree Service’s agreement that reallocates $400,000 from a second contractor (General Tree Service) and increases Rancho’s not‑to‑exceed amount to $1.4 million for tree trimming, removals and related work through June 10, 2027.

The amendment passed after public scrutiny over the city’s tree contracting and transparency. Community members and watchdogs questioned whether the city split an original award in a way that disadvantaged the low bidder and pointed to an apparent mismatch between contract ceilings and documented work.

Why it matters: The contract governs the city’s maintenance of public trees across Bakersfield, an issue that has become politicized as residents press for better canopy protection and different pruning practices. The amendment funds ongoing city‑directed work this year while staff and the tree advisory group continue policy updates to tree procurement, planting and removal oversight.

What the council approved

Staff explained that last year the council awarded two $500,000 tree‑service agreements because the city changed the trimming calendar and wanted capacity to complete work within the narrower window. Rancho Tree Service had been the lower bidder on the original procurement; staff said Rancho fully used the first‑year allocation and performed reliably. To complete trunk‑and‑removal work this fall staff proposed reallocating $400,000 from the other contract to Rancho and exercising a one‑year extension, which yields a $1.4 million contract ceiling when combined with last year’s expenditures.

Critics' concerns and staff response

Public speakers including Sharon Briel and Eddie Lane pressed the council for documentation: they argued the city had split an award, raised questions about the size of the contract ceiling and asked why ANSI A300 pruning standards and reporting requirements were missing from contracts. "Before you vote, I ask each council member to take a look at two numbers in the agreement," Briel said, urging the council to explain unexplained budget gaps.

Staff and contracting officers replied that the city has already adopted many tree‑advisory group recommendations: ANSI A300 pruning standards are required in the contract, certified arborists inspect trees proposed for removal, the city has a new planting pallet, and the department is enhancing public notices. Assistant Director Keith Howland said each removal is documented with photos and arborist rationale.

Data and clarifications

Staff told the council the city planted 1,225 trees in 2025 and had planted another 708 so far in 2026; those figures were offered to show the city is currently planting more trees than it removes. Staff also said retained funding for tree plantings from FY2025–26 (roughly under $200,000) would be examined to support planting priorities identified by the tree advisory group.

Vote and next steps

The amendment passed with Vice Mayor Core voting no and Councilmember Gonzalez abstaining (Gonzalez had recused earlier on the item). Staff said it will continue to implement the tree advisory group's recommendations, refine contract language and return to advisory committees with proposed heritage‑tree protections, inventory approaches and public‑notification procedures.

The contract amendment allocates operation‑budget funds within Recreation & Parks and extends the existing agreement through June 10, 2027. Councilmembers and public advocates asked staff for clearer procurement documentation and for faster public reporting on tree removals, replacements and inventory plans.