The plan depends on a sharp rebound in fines
Kern County’s Emergency Medical Payments unit collected $1,260,813 from fines and forfeitures in 2024–25. The adopted budget assumes $2,015,000 in 2025–26, an increase of $754,187, or 59.8%.
Interest and property-use revenue is budgeted at $40,000, down 70.1%. Combined revenue rises from $1,394,745 to $2,055,000, or 47.3%.
The accountability issue is the sensitivity of the medical-payment plan to a volatile enforcement-derived source. The record establishes the assumption, not that collections will reach it.
| Measure | 2024–25 actual | 2025–26 adopted | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fines and forfeitures | $1,260,813 | $2,015,000 | +59.8% |
| Total revenue | $1,394,745 | $2,055,000 | +47.3% |
| Services and supplies | $1,031,000 | $1,448,987 | +40.5% |
| Total spending | $1,177,901 | $1,748,987 | +48.5% |
A larger cushion, if the assumption holds
The adopted plan leaves $306,013 after financing uses, compared with $216,844 in the latest actual year. Other financing uses rise from $146,901 to $300,000.
The summarized page does not identify the statutory fine sources, providers paid, patients assisted or timing of collections. Nor does it show whether an unexpected revenue shortfall would reduce payments or draw another balance.
This report’s original finding is the scale of the fine-revenue assumption relative to the service-spending increase. A complete evaluation requires collection reports and payment ledgers during and after the fiscal year.
Sources and further reading
Kern County FY2025–26 Adopted Budget — Emergency Medical Payments, printed p294 ↗