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Council approves nearly $4.9M violence-intervention grant to add workers, amid oversight questions
Summary
Council approved creation of grant-funded violence-intervention positions funded by a nearly $4.9 million state grant; members asked for clarity about sunset rules, supervision and training before approving the request.
The Bakersfield City Council voted July 15 to create temporary, grant-funded positions tied to a nearly $4.9 million state grant for the Office of Violence Intervention and Prevention, despite questions from council members about long-term sustainability and oversight.
City staff described the program as a combination of immediate outreach, case management, wraparound services and academic evaluation intended to reduce nonfatal shootings and homicides. City staff said the grant will fund the positions through March 2029 and that the city will partner with community-based organizations including the Wendell Davis Foundation, Compassion Christian Center and Garden Pathways.
"We just received a recent grant that is a nearly $5,000,000 grant," said city staff during the presentation; staff added that some of the $4.9 million will be used to add three city intervention workers and to fund case managers and an evaluation contract.
Council members pressed staff for details. Council member Basheer Tash asked whether the positions have a sunset tied to the grant and warned of potential long-term costs; staff said the positions are time-limited and that the grant includes oversight and auditing by the state Board of State and Community Corrections. Council member Coleman pressed for clarity on salary levels, supervision and whether the city itself should employ intervention workers rather than relying on contractors. Staff responded that city recruitment and background checks would apply, that staff would report to a supervisor and manager in the Office of Violence Intervention and Prevention, and that a training and certification pathway exists through programs such as the Urban Peace Institute.
The council approved item 9a. The clerk recorded the motion as approved "with council members Weir and Basharash voting no and council member Gonzalez absent." The meeting record uses the spelling "Basharash" for one no vote; council attendance and name spellings in the transcript vary in places.
What it would do: staff said the grant covers three city intervention workers, four case managers contracted through community-based organizations and a program evaluation, and that the city will continue other oversight and partnership practices. Several council members requested additional documentation—job descriptions, supervisory lines and training details—before permanent or future funding decisions.
Next steps: staff will move forward to recruit grant-funded positions under the stated grant timeline and return with additional implementation details and oversight documentation as requested by council members.
