BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) \u2014 As the new year begins, the City of Bakersfield is already well into its fiscal year and facing continued budget pressure, with city officials warning that rising costs are outpacing revenue and forcing departments to prepare for reductions.<\/p>\n
Bakersfield Police Chief Gregg Terry said the department is entering the 2026 fiscal year expecting budget constraints similar to those facing the rest of the city.<\/p>\n
\u201cCosts are outpacing the revenue,\u201d Terry said. \u201cThat\u2019s the reality, and so we\u2019re taking a close look at how we can better align and still maintain these core services.\u201d<\/p>\n
Terry said the police department typically sees about 30 officers leave each year through normal attrition. He said the department expects vacancies \u2014 not layoffs \u2014 to be the primary way it absorbs budget reductions.<\/p>\n
Despite the financial pressure, Terry said the department\u2019s priorities remain unchanged.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to make sure we maintain emergency response, continue our crime reduction and prevention programs, and continue to engage in the community,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
City Manager Christian Clegg said the financial challenges extend beyond public safety and affect departments across the city.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur expenditures continued to rise at a faster rate than our revenues,\u201d Clegg said. \u201cAnd so we\u2019ve had to do some adjustments and some right-sizing.\u201d<\/p>\n
The city has been under a hiring freeze since last summer, with more than 100 positions currently frozen across departments. Officials say the freeze is part of a strategy to save at least $8 million through vacancy savings.<\/p>\n
Clegg said some positions may begin to be filled again later this year, but many will remain frozen as the city takes a cautious approach to spending.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re looking at how we rethink how we\u2019re doing some of our programs,\u201d Clegg said. \u201cBut being very thoughtful about where we can make reductions without major impacts to services.\u201d<\/p>\n
In a statement to 23ABC, city officials said staff remains confident that budget projections presented to the Bakersfield City Council last June are still in line with current revenue and expenditure estimates. However, officials noted the city has not yet received second-quarter tax revenue figures, which are typically the strongest of the year and often lag by several months.<\/p>\n
Because of that delay, officials said it is too early to draw firm conclusions about the city\u2019s financial outlook.<\/p>\n
A formal budget update is expected to be presented to the City Council in late February or early March, officials said.<\/p>\n
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