ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
MEETING DATE: October 21, 2026 AGENDA CATEGORY: Reports TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Christian Clegg, City Manager
DATE: October 15, 2026
SUBJECT: Report on Key Policy Considerations Related to Funding Jail Bed Space RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council discuss and provide direction.
BACKGROUND:
Public Safety and specifically the lack of accountability is the preeminent issue in Bakersfield and Kern County. While the City has made notable progress in the past five years in significantly lowering violent crime and also lowering overall property crime, quality of life crime remains a concern. The City has invested heavily in law enforcement through the Public Safety & Vital Services tax. We have hired 100 additional sworn officers. We have restored and grown special units such as the Traffic Motors, Special Enforcement Unit, Community Engagement, Quality Assurance, Impact Team and Community Vitality. We have invested in modern tools and equipment for our officers, a new public radio communications system, enhancements to our 911 communications center and the capacity for quality data analysis. The City has also invested in Park Rangers and Code Enforcement Rapid Response Teams. The City has even opened homelessservices and affordable housing programs for the first time in its history to support the transition from homelessness to self-sufficiency. The City invests nearly $20 million every year to address the impacts of homelessness and support a transition from individuals away from homelessness. The City has funded more than 900 affordable housing units. We have also placed nearly 700 individuals into permanent housing through our Brundage Lane Navigation Center.
Yet residents and businesses continue to experience frustration from chronic low-level offenders impacting quality of life. Our community continues to suffer from daily examples of vandalism, theft, lewd behavior, littering, and obstructing public rights of way. This is not a supportive services issue. Services are available. The City has significantly increased our ability to enforce the law. The Impact Team, which address quality-of-life crimes, averages approximately 400 arrests every month. Of those arrested and booked into the county jail, more than 80% are released within 12 hours. They are not receiving treatment. They are not facing consequences for quality-of-life crimes. This is not an enforcement issue.
This is an accountability issue in our criminal justice system.
Because the criminal justice system is principally within the jurisdiction of the County of Kern, the City of Bakersfield initiated discussions on this topic with the County in 2022. City officials have met with County officials numerous times over the past four years to explore how to create more accountability. Those discussions have included the Superior Courts, District Attorney, Public Defender, Sheriff, Probation, County Administration, Behavioral Health & Recovery Services and Board of Supervisors. The discussions have included staffing, budgets, capital costs, changes in state law, etc. Analysis has been on booking, the sentencing, diverting, jailing and re-entry processes. Additional consideration has been given to prevention, intervention and other supportive services that don’t rely on the criminal justice system.
While the City of Bakersfield is supportive of services and housing, the analysis points to the need for greater accountability. And while the City acknowledges the challenges in creating more jail bed space, the analysis points to the lack of available jail beds as the major gap in creating accountability in our criminal justice system. It is worth noting that the City also explored a partnership with the County in 2018-19 to fund additional jail beds. Given those prior efforts and these more recent efforts that failed to facilitate a solution with the County, Councilmember Smith requested that staff form a City Jail Bed Task force.
The Jail Bed Task Force was formed in September 2025 with Councilmembers Bashirtash and Smith representing the City Council. Community stakeholders were invited to participate, including individuals with knowledge in the subject matter as well as leaders that represent community and businesses interests impacted by the quality-of-life issues.
The Task force held public forms in October and December of 2025 and January and March of 2026. The task force identified known challenges for our county jail, existing and former efforts to make improvements and identified potential solutions. Task Force members met with subject matter experts to better understand and seek solutions related to booking, medical clearances, detention, and sentencing.
The task force evaluated different types of diversion, detention and jailing facilities. Members and city staff researched jailing in multiple cities and counties in California to understand challenges, opportunities, and best practices. The task force also explored wrap-around and re-entry services that should be provided. City staff collected and analyzed arrest, booking, release, sentencing and detention data. City staff also assessed risk, insurance and liability considerations.
During the October 21 Regular City Council meeting, City staff will provide a presentation outlining the following policy considerations for City Council discussion and direction for future action:
Jurisdictional Authority
Scope of Population
Facility Type
Cost and Funding
Liability and Risk Exposure
Oversight and Evaluation
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no immediate fiscal impact associated with receiving and filing this report.
COUNCIL GOAL:
Safety and Resilience
Innovative and Efficient City Government
ATTACHMENTS:
None