ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
MEETING DATE: June 11, 2025 AGENDA CATEGORY: Hearings TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Christian Clegg, City Manager
DATE: June 4, 2025
SUBJECT: Public Hearing for the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Proposed Budget
1. Fiscal Year 2025-26 Proposed Operating & Capital Improvement Program Budget
2. Status of City of Bakersfield Position Vacancies and Recruitment and Retention Efforts as required by Assembly Bill 2561 (Government Code Section 3502.3)
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends City Council hear public testimony.
BACKGROUND:
Fiscal Year 2025-26 Proposed Operating and Capital Improvement Program Budget Each year, a public hearing is required to receive public comment prior to the adoption of a budget. The Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget is proposed at $852,717,360, which is comprised of a $765,248,355 operating budget and a $87,469,005 capital improvement program budget.
Status of City of Bakersfield Position Vacancies and Recruitment and Retention Efforts Assembly Bill (“AB”) 2561, codified in Government Code section 3502.3, passed on September 22, 2024, to amend the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act (MMBA), and requires public agencies to hold a public hearing to address the status of job vacancies prior to the adoption of the upcoming fiscal year budget. During this public hearing, the City must present information on the status of vacancies and the City’s recruitment and retention efforts. If necessary, the City will identify necessary changes to policies, procedures, and/or recruitment activities that may lead to obstacles in the hiring process to help mitigate the challenges. The public hearing will ensure compliance with the new law.
The City of Bakersfield currently has an approved headcount of 2,029 full -time positions. All position vacancies are tracked by the Human Resources (“HR”) Department. As of May 5, 2025, the first pay period In May, there are 155 full-time vacancies. AB 2561 additionally requires identification of bargaining units where the vacancy rate exceeds 20%. The current citywide vacancy rate is 7.64% with no individual units exceeding 20%.
HR engages in continuous learning and assessment of recruitment practices to promote efficient citywide recruitment processes, develop comprehensive recruitment efforts, and assess retention data. In collaboration with hiring authorities, labor partners, and commissions, efforts have resulted in decreased turnover rates and successful placement of over 200 full-time employees, on average, each year.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Final Adoption of the budget is scheduled for June 25, 2025.
COUNCIL GOAL:
Choose an item.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. FY 2025-26 Proposed Budget Book