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Council approves grant-funded expansion of violence intervention program, amid oversight questions
Summary
The Bakersfield City Council approved creation of three grant-funded violence-intervention worker positions and related contract funding from a nearly $4.9 million grant; councilors pressed staff on sunset rules, oversight and whether positions should be permanent.
The Bakersfield City Council voted July 15 to approve creation of three grant‑funded intervention-worker positions and expanded services in the Office of Violence Intervention and Prevention, using a state grant totaling about $4.9 million over three years.
City Manager (staff presentation) said the grant will fund new intervention workers and partner contracts for case management and wraparound services; staff said the program had produced reductions in nonfatal shootings and homicides and that oversight would include state and city auditing. The city will pay for a small core project management team using local funds and use grant dollars to hire three city intervention workers, several case managers through community‑based organizations, and fund an academic evaluation.
Council members asked detailed questions about long‑term costs, sunset provisions and hiring procedures. Council Member Bashir Tash and others pressed staff on what would happen when grant funding ends and whether a policy is needed for transitioning or ending grant‑funded staff. Staff said the positions are time‑limited to the grant period, employees will be recruited through standard city processes with background checks and probation, training and certification will be provided, and the state grant includes oversight and auditing.
Council members also raised concerns about transparency on salary and contracting breakdowns and asked for job descriptions and reporting lines. Staff responded that much of the grant funds will be used for partner contracts (case management, life‑coaching, and evaluation) and that the city will maintain internal oversight and quarterly reporting.
The motion to approve item 9a passed; the clerk recorded that Council Members Weir and Basharash voted no and Council Member Gonzalez was absent.
Next steps: staff will recruit for the new positions under the grant, coordinate with partner community‑based organizations for case management, and provide required state reporting and audits. Council members asked staff to return with additional implementation details and job descriptions.
