BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Outgoing City Manager Alan Tandy talked about the dispersion of Measure N tax revenue at the annual State of the City luncheon on Thursday. He told attendees the city is in "excellent shape" and that funds raised from the Measure N tax are helping the Bakersfield Police Department as well as fighting homelessness and improving economic development.
Officials have budgeted $11.5 million to help provide for housing, proper care and programs to help get people off the streets. Tandy says homelessness will be a major focus and likely the biggest issue his successor will tackle.
Mayor Karen Goh added that it will take more than one person or one organization to fix it.
Goh and other officials also mentioned more technology-based careers are coming to town. They stressed that even though Bakersfield is heavy on oil and agriculture they have to diversify to continue expanding and moving forward.
