ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
MEETING DATE: June 10, 2026 AGENDA CATEGORY: Hearings TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Christian Clegg, City Manager
DATE: May 21, 2026
SUBJECT: Public Hearing for the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Proposed Budget
1. Fiscal Year 2026-27 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 2026-27 budget is proposed at $926,282,551, which is comprised of a $811,512,708 operating budget and a $115,269,843 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 2,035 full -time positions. All position vacancies are tracked by the Human Resources (“HR”) Department. As of March 9, 2026, the first pay period In March, there are 200 ful l-time vacancies. AB 2561 additionally requires identification of bargaining units where the vacancy rate exceeds 20%. The current citywide vacancy rate is 9.83% 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. While periods of limited recruitment activity during the fiscal year, over 120, full-time positions were successfully appointed, Ongoing efforts to collaborate with hiring authorities, labor partners, and commissions, will continue to maximize recruitment efforts and identify initiatives in support of retention.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Final Adoption of the budget is scheduled for June 24, 2026.
COUNCIL GOAL:
Economic Opportunity for All
Safety and Resilience
Reliable Infrastructure
Community Character & Quality of Life
Innovative and Efficient City Government
ATTACHMENTS:
Proposed Budget