BAKERSFIELD, Calif.(KBAK/KBFX) — Bakersfield city leaders are beginning to shape a proposed 2026–2027 budget expected to be around $900 million, and residents are weighing in on what they want prioritized as the city balances rising costs.
During a budget conversation meeting on Tuesday evening, attendees focused much of their discussion on public safety, infrastructure, and homelessness.
City Councilmember Larry Koman said the meetings are meant to gather direct public input to help guide decisions on the city’s proposed 2026–2027 budget.
“This is a very tough time for the city. We’re continuing to have pressure on our expenses, so we need to conserve money. But we need to be sure that we’re doing the important things of the community,” Koman said.
Koman said the city’s budget is increasing largely because expenses are increasing.
“Well, our budget’s growing more and mainly, ’cause our expenses are growing up, things like workers’ compensation, add to our cost, increase liability insurance, those kind of things,” Koman said.
After a presentation, residents asked how the city is prioritizing spending, with homelessness among the main concerns raised.
The city of Bakersfield held one of its community sessions to hear from residents about their priorities regarding what they spend for the 2026 to 2027 fiscal year budget. The conversation hinted at homelessness as one of the common topics of interest among the public. KBAK/KBFX
City leaders said emergency shelter space has expanded in recent years and that the city’s focus is shifting toward transitional housing and longer-term support services.
“I see the city moving towards a solutions-based policy, where they’re putting money behind, not just controlling and, um, creating policy that governs land use and criminal activity and incarceration, but investing in the things that prevent that from being a problem,” Mary Anne Em Radmacher from South West Bakersfield said.
City leaders also discussed navigation centers, saying people in shelters are working with case managers and housing navigators to build plans aimed at helping them move toward stability.
They added that other agencies primarily handle behavioral health and treatment services, and that many people experiencing homelessness need more structured care — including mental health and substance use treatment — before they can move into permanent housing.
The city of Bakersfield held one of its community sessions to hear from residents about their priorities regarding what they spend for the 2026 to 2027 fiscal year budget. The conversation hinted at homelessness as one of the common topics of interest among the public. KBAK/KBFX
City leaders said the budget process is designed to be transparent and include community input before final decisions are made.
The next budget conversation meeting is set for next Wednesday at the Compassion Christian Center.