ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
MEETING DATE: June 25, 2025 AGENDA CATEGORY: Consent – Miscellaneous
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Phillip Burns, Development Services Director
DATE: June 13, 2025
SUBJECT: Appropriate $100,000 CalAPP Grant to the Development Services Operating Budget within the General Fund
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the appropriation
BACKGROUND:
On May 1, 2024, the City of Bakersfield (City) was awarded a $100,000 grant under the California Automated Permit Processing (CalAPP) Program.
The CalAPP Program, authorized under Senate Bill 129 (Skinner, Budget Act of 2021), provides funding to California cities and counties to support the implementation of automated, online solar permitting systems in compliance with Senate Bill 379. The objective is to streamline residential solar permitting, enhance code compliance, and accelerate permit issuance.
The City has successfully completed its CalAPP-funded project. The total grant amount of $100,000.00 was used as follows:
$60,000.00 was paid to Symbium for the purchase and implementation of its online solar permitting platform.
$40,000.00 was paid to Speridian Technologies for integration services to connect Symbium with the City’s Clariti permitting system.
This integrated solution is now fully operational and enhances the City’s ability to issue residential solar permits in real time, reduce administrative burden, and provide a more efficient, user-friendly process for applicants. The system helps ensure compliance with state regulations and supports the City’s long- term goals for sustainability and process modernization.
Although the project has been completed, appropriation of the grant funds into the current fiscal year budget (FY 2024–2025) is required for proper accounting and reimbursement purposes.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The request to appropriate State Grant funds leverages funding available to assist with this development streamlining efforts; therefore, no impact to the General Fund.
COUNCIL GOAL:
Economic Opportunity for All
Innovative and Efficient City Government
Safety and Resilience
Reliable Infrastructure
Community Character and Quality of Life
ATTACHMENTS:
CalAPP Award Agreement