AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS
May 28, 2025 COUNCIL MEETING
REGULAR MEETING – 3:30 PM
REPORTS
Item 3.a FY2025-26 Proposed Budget Book (All Wards) The Fiscal Year 2025-26 Proposed Budget Book has been prepared to provide the City Council with a comprehensive overview of the City's financial plan, including a budget synopsis, departmental summaries, and detailed line -item information to support informed decision-making. The balanced budget aligns projected revenues and available resources with anticipated expenditures to ensure the continued delivery of essential City services. It will be presented at a Public Hearing on June 11 and submitted for Council adoption on June 25.
REGULAR MEETING – 5:15 PM
RESOLUTIONS
Item 7.d.3 Safety Cameras Across C ity Parks (All Wards ) The Recreation and Parks Department recommends the purchase of a Verkada Camera System, to be deployed across city parks to enhance security, deter crime, and support public safety initiatives. This system will enable real -time monitoring and aid the Bakersfield Police Department in investigations, al igning with the City Council’s goal of promoting Safety and Resilience. In accordance with the City ’s municipal code , staff recommend bypassing the standard bidding process, as the equipment is not available locally and is more economically obtained through a competitively bid cooperative contract with BEARCLOUD, Inc., under OMNIA. The total cost will not exceed $300,000 and will be covered by the FY 2024-25 Public Safety/Vital Services Measure Capital Outlay Fund, with no impact to the General Fund.
MISCELLANEOUS
Item 7. g.2 Appropriation of Reimbursement Funds to Fire Departm ent General Fund (All Wards ) The Bakersfield Fire Department responded to multiple emergency deployments during the 2023 –2025 fire seasons as part of the statewide mutual aid system. As a result, the City will receive $1,744,818 from the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management, and $322,761 from the California Office of Emergency Services, for a total reimbursement of $2,067,579 . These reimbursements cover labor at the overtime rate and equipment costs incurred during deployments. Since these expenses were already paid from the Fire Department’s operating budget, the reimbursement will be appropriated back into the department's budget with no impact to the City’s General Fund.
PUBLIC SAFETY/VITAL SERVICES MEASURE
Item 7. i.1 Economic Opportunity Area Grant Agreement with Foxtail Lounge (All Wards) The City of Bakersfield’s Economic Opportunity Area Plan, established in 2016, aims to stimulate economic growth through targeted public investment that encourages private sector development, job creation, and increased tax revenue. Following the October 2024 Notice of Funding Availability for the Downtown EOA Business Improvement Grant Program, the Foxtail Lounge applied for funding to support the purchase of equipment, materials, and furnishings to enhance their public business space and boost customer experience, safety, and economic activity. The Foxtail Lounge’s application received high scores and was selected for grant approval by the Finance, Economic Development, and Jobs Committee in January 2025. Funding for these projects is included in the FY 2024-25 PSVS operating budget.
HEARINGS
Item 9.a Potential Economic Subsidy Agreement with BIOS Health Ltd (All Wards) On January 24, 2024, the City entered into an agreement with BIOS Health Ltd to facilitate the company’s expansion from the UK and Canada to Bakersfield. BIOS specializes in neuroscience, machine learning, AI, engineering, and medicine. The initial $250,00 0 subsidy enabled BIOS to establish operations locally, form strategic partnerships, attract investments, and develop a proposal for a Precision Medicine Initiative in Kern County. Consistent with the PSVS Measure N priorities, BIOS plans to collaborate wi th California State University, Bakersfield, and Dignity Health to advance the initiative and support regional workforce development. In compliance with California Government Code Section 53083, a public hearing was scheduled with prior public notice posted on May 16, 2025. The project is funded with $250,000 from PSVS funds.
Prepared by: Jaritza Nunez, Management Fellow CC: Department Heads City Manager’s File
City Clerk’s File
News Media File