BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The Bakersfield City Council will hold a special meeting of the Citizens Oversight Committee on Wednesday, June 26th at 4:00 p.m. to discuss proposed budget adjustments that were the result of revised sales tax revenue numbers.

In a letter, City Manager Alan Tandy stated that "first quarter 2019 sales tax revenues showed a 14.5 percent growth compared to the same quarter last year. As a result, staff is now projecting sales tax revenues will slightly exceed budget projections for the current fiscal year."

Those increased tax revenues include monies received from the Bakersfield Public Safety and Vital Services Measure (PSVS Measure).

"Staff is estimating a cumulative increase of approximately $3 million above current budget projections in the current fiscal year," says Tandy. Something he hails as "positive news."

Among the budget amendments being propsed are adding $1 million to the Bakersfield Police Department operating budget and $1 million for the city's Facility Replacement Reserve Fund which covers emergency repairs and maintenance for city facilities such as fire and police stations. Additional funds would go to city staffing as well as arts funding, the Downtown Corridor Project, road and landscape projects and much more.

These changes to the budget will be considered for approval by the City Council at a meeting on June 28th.