Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Wasco public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
26 issues with medium priority
Wastewater/Stormwater Engineering Agreement
The city closed out a $125,000 state Community Development Block Grant that paid for updating the wastewater master plan — a 25-year look at the city's sewer collection and treatment systems that helps prioritize repairs and upgrades.
October police activity and drug interdiction
Police reported a slower month (1,781 incidents, 91 arrests) and a multi-agency operation that took two felons off the street and seized about a quarter pound of meth. Council also wants the e-bike/scooter safety pamphlet spread more widely.
Storm season and El Niño preparation
Sand and sandbags are already stockpiled at city property, storm drains are being cleaned, and reverse 9-1-1 will be used for serious storms. Clear leaves out of your gutters, folks.
Clean California cleanup grant (CCEP)
The April 25 cleanup hauled away a whopping 17.8 tons of junk. The mayor pro tem wants those stats mailed with water bills to encourage more of it, and praised the new sidewalks on 5th Street near Poplar.
Bakersfield College College Corps interns at PAL building
A grant obtained by Assistant City Manager Maria Lara funded five youth interns working at city hall this summer, with three more openings possible. Medina credited the program for giving local teens their first real jobs.
Homelessness Update Requested
The council committed $645,883 in state Permanent Local Housing Allocation money to keep the Homeless Outreach Coordinator Program running, filing paperwork with the state housing department.
Police e-bike unit grant
The police department wants five grant-funded e-bikes so officers can patrol parks, downtown, schools, and crowded events where cars can't go — at no cost to the city if the grant covers the full price.
Central Avenue ATP Project contract award
The city is spending $602,175 of grant-backed money to replace an asphalt path with concrete, add ADA ramps, and landscape Central Avenue between Pozo and Flower Street. It should make walking along that corridor safer and more accessible.
Hunger Action Month and food insecurity
CAPK got a proclamation for Hunger Action Month — they handed out over 700,000 pounds of food in Wasco last year and are asking residents to wear orange, volunteer, and donate cans at the fair.
Westside Park parking lot repaving
Two badly deteriorated parking lots at Westside Park will get repaved for about $79,000, paid back by the parks district rather than the city's own budget.
Lithium-ion battery fire hazards
Fire Chief Appleton warned that e-bike and scooter batteries can spontaneously release toxic smoke and cause fires — store them outside, don't leave them charging constantly, and stay away from smoking batteries.
District 3 Appointment Saves $3,000
Because Valentin Medina was the only candidate to file for District 3, the council appointed him outright and canceled that election — saving taxpayers roughly $3,000. The District 1 contest between Gilberto Reyna and Aubrey Wimberly goes on as scheduled.
Payroll staffing gap
One of two payroll staff is on extended leave, creating a backlog; a temp hire via Creative Financial Staffing will cover until permanent staffing is resolved, with no late-payment penalties pending.
PG&E yard burglaries
Two burglary-in-progress calls at the PG&E yard in July, with copper wire the target; Shafter, Kern County Sheriff, and McFarland police assisted and three arrests were made.
Camera registry comeback?
Reyna wants staff to explore bringing back a program — last tried under sheriff service — where residents and businesses register cameras, possibly with subsidies to buy them.
4.5% Raise Extended to Non-union Managers
The amended salary schedule gives the same 4.5% cost-of-living bump already given to police association members to non-represented directors, middle managers and confidential staff.
Police activity and youth programs
May numbers show 42 arrests, 95 traffic citations, and only three collisions so far — way down from prior months. The department is also backing youth boxing and launching a bike safety event May 29 with helmets and lights giveaways.
WPOA Labor Agreement
The council approved the new MOU with the Wasco Police Officers Association, whose members ratified the terms days before the vote.
November 3, 2026 Municipal Election
Council seats in districts 1 and 3 will be on the November ballot, consolidated with the statewide election; candidate filing runs July 13 to August 7.
Police Drone Program
The police department is launching a drone-as-first-responder program — the first in Kern County — that dispatchers can launch automatically, arriving in about 75 seconds. Council members also asked about rising gang graffiti and fireworks enforcement.
Low Water Pressure and Sediment Complaints
Council members raised resident complaints about low water pressure and sand at the tap; staff said no complaints reached them and daily SCADA checks show no issues, and the city will encourage residents to report problems.
City Manager Contract Renewal
The council renewed City Manager Scott Hurlbert's contract for two years at $217,510 annually, with up to three one-year extensions.
Community policing momentum
Police stats show proactive officer activity outpaced calls for service for the first time this year, with traffic stops doubled and accidents down. A mobile clinic runs June 15 and a kids' nutrition program starts June 8.
Water subsidy program audit
The $60,000 senior water subsidy has been oversubscribed — more people are on it than budgeted. Finance staff will audit participation and require re-qualification, which may mean some current recipients lose the discount but keeps the program solvent.
Prison garbage contract renewal
The city renewed its 30-plus-year garbage service contract with Wasco State Prison — steady revenue for the sanitation department with terms that protect the city this time around.
Meeting Continuity Policy (SB 707)
Starting July 1, state law requires hybrid meetings, a call-in option, Spanish agenda translation, and backup plans if tech fails mid-meeting. The council adopted the policy but grumbled it's an unfunded mandate likely to cost small cities more than it's worth.