City Council - March 25th, 2026 3:30PM Meeting

The City Council of Bakersfield, CA, held a regular meeting on March 25, 2026, which included a closed session on labor negotiations. The primary procurement-related discussion focused on the city's second quarter 2025-26 budget update. Finance staff reported on the ongoing hiring freeze, which has generated savings exceeding initial estimates, now projected at approximately $11.7 million. The council was updated on the status of vacant positions, with 70 positions planned for elimination in the next fiscal year to help balance the budget. The report also highlighted the city's reserve funds, including a $60 million contingency reserve and an $8.2 million pension stabilization fund, with policies in place to allocate savings prudently to manage future pension costs. No new appropriations or midyear budget adjustments were recommended at this time, and the council expressed support for maintaining disciplined fiscal policies to sustain reserves and manage pension liabilities.