B-CARES Small Business Grant Program

The City of Bakersfield has launched a new Small Business Assistance program, making $3 million of CARES Act funding immediately (as of Sept. 21, 2020) available to eligible local businesses.*

Bakersfield small businesses could be eligible for grants between $5,000 and $20,000 through the B-CARES Program to help offset the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

*The City stopped accepting applications for the B-CARES Program on Friday, Dec. 11, 2020 in order to ensure all eligible applicants would receive their grants by the end of the calendar year as required by the CARES Act.

Click here to sign up to be notified if this program returns should additional funding become available in the future.

Department Mission

The mission of the Finance Department is to efficiently and effectively maintain the fiscal integrity of the City of Bakersfield in support of the goals of both the City Council and all City Departments. This mission is founded and driven by a commitment to provide the best service possible from our four divisions of Accounting & Finance, Treasury, Purchasing, and Property Management as stewards of taxpayer’s funds.

Randy McKeegan, Finance Director
Tera Loveless, Assistant Finance Director

Administration Division 

Provides for effective and efficient management of the City’s fiscal resources through leadership and direction of staff resources; provides support to the City in matters relating to real estate and the purchase, sale and leasing of City-owned real property; and administers the protective provisions of City indentures.

Accounting and Reporting Division

Provides for the accurate and timely accounting and reporting of all fiscal transactions for the City and related agencies; monitors special assessment district financing for investment compliance and timely bond calls by September of each year.  Processes bi-weekly payroll checks, weekly vendor payments and accounts receivable billings as scheduled.

Treasury Division 

Provides centralized cashiering, check distribution and investment of idle funds; administers and enforce the provisions of the Municipal Code relating to business licenses, transient occupancy tax and business regulatory permits.

Purchasing Division 

Administers the provisions of the City Charter and Municipal Code relating to the procurement of materials and services at the best value to the requesting department.