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ENB Pub Note: Mike Umbro on X – Kern County general fund faces $9 million deficit in 2025 | KGET 17 News Kern County was the #1 oil producing county in the United States in 20213. 12 years later after Newsom’s shutdown…Kern County is broke.
Kern County general fund faces $9 million deficit in 2025 | KGET 17 News
Kern County was the #1 oil producing county in the United States in 20213.
12 years later after Newsom’s shutdown…Kern County is broke. https://t.co/UgEoLB1j3g
— Mike Umbro
(@MikeUmbro) March 12, 2025
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — At the Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday, county leaders learned the state of the county’s funding…and it’s not looking good.
The costs are outweighing the funds.
The deficit for the general fund this year is also projected to grow by 2029, if things keep going the way they are, the deficit would reach $19.6 million, according to county accountants.
Elsa Martinez told supervisors she has a plan for county departments to absorb the short fall.
“It’s really gonna depend on how we’re going to absorb that additional cost,” said Martinez. “If we’re able to absorb that with reduction in other costs, then the public isn’t going to see significant impact. If we’re unable at some point, you’re going to have to delay what we call service level impacts.”
Some services might be delayed or require longer wait times.
n 2016, county libraries were open only three days, sometimes two days, a week in order to cut costs.
Martinez said the county’s costs are going up because of state mandates and federal funding uncertainty.
Unresolved state legislation might hurt the county.
“Right now we have over 2,000 bills that some of them are gonna impact,” said Martinez.
One is on oil and gas that could indirectly affect the county’s property tax. Another doesn’t allow the county to collect property taxes on solar projects.
Martinez said the county’s revenue is based on sales and property taxes.
“In the past, 33% of our property tax came from oil and gas, and we’re now at 9 percent,” said Martinez. “So, business values and home values are now the primary driver of property tax in our community.”
The return on those taxes aren’t keeping up with costs.
Other rising costs Martinez spoke about was a bill that raised minimum wage for healthcare workers, health benefits for employees, workers compensation insurance on the rise, and new programs.
“I don’t want to scare people but I want people to understand that we have to be fiscally prudent,” said Martinez. “If things change, we need to address any changes that come from the state or federal government to ensure that we are protecting services for our community.”
Martinez said the county can’t increase taxes without an election, however, the county can increase some fees.
Late library books, building inspections, and court recording are a few that could be increased.
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