ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
MEETING DATE: August 26, 2026 AGENDA CATEGORY: Consent - PSVS TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Phillip Burns, Development Services Director
DATE: August 12, 2026
SUBJECT: Amendment No. 2 to Agreement No. 2025-176 with Be Finally Free (increase compensation by $175,000, revised not to exceed $ 375,000; and extend the term to December 31, 2026) for Community Connectors program services
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the amendment.
BACKGROUND:
On November 6, 2018, Measure N, the Public Safety and Vital Services Measure (PSVS) was passed by voters in an effort to address top community priorities, including an increase in homeless services through partnerships with service providers. The City acknowledges that addressing homelessness in the community requires focused outreach efforts to engage individuals living on the streets and assist them with accessing critical resources.
On June 7, 2025, the City issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for qualified agencies to participate in the Community Connectors pilot program, and collaborate with the City’s Code Enforcement, Rapid Response Teams, and Bakersfield Police Department in targeted outreach, litter removal, and other supportive services in the Old Town Kern area.
On September 10, 2025, the City entered into Agreement No. 2025-176 with Be Finally Free for services outreach, engagement and beautification services related to the City’s Community Connectors pilot program.
On March 25, 2026, Agreement No. 2025-176 was amended to extend the term of the agreement to from March 31, 2026 to August 30, 2026.
The parties now mutually desire to amend Agreement No. 2025-176 to increase the compensation by an additional $175,000 (for a total compensation not to exceed $375,000) and extend the term of the Agreement to December 31, 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The action is to amend a contract and add more time to perform these services, the cost to amend and extend the services is $175,000, this is budgeted in the department’s Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget.
COUNCIL GOAL:
Safety and Resilience
Community Character & Quality of Life
ATTACHMENT:
Agreement No. 2025-176(2)