The adopted local contribution increases by $9.1 million
Kern County’s Special Services unit rises from $20,057,228 in fiscal 2024–25 actual spending to $28,879,940 in the adopted 2025–26 plan. The $8,822,712 increase equals 44.0%.
Revenue moves the other direction, falling $280,503 to $3,061,708. The magnitude of net county cost therefore rises from $16,715,017 to $25,818,232—a $9,103,215 increase, or 54.5%.
| Measure | FY 2024–25 actual | FY 2025–26 adopted | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $3.34M | $3.06M | −8.4% |
| Salaries and benefits | $647,084 | $848,000 | +31.1% |
| Services and supplies | $18.23M | $25.40M | +39.3% |
| Other charges | $1.16M | $2.61M | +126.0% |
| Net county cost | $16.72M | $25.82M | +54.5% |
Purchased services supply four-fifths of the spending increase
Services and supplies rise $7,165,662, accounting for 81.2% of the unit’s total appropriation increase. Other charges add $1,455,567, and salaries and benefits add $200,916.
The label ‘Special Services’ is broad, and Schedule 9 does not itemize the contracts, vendors or programs inside those categories. The summary establishes where the budget grows, but not who receives the money.
A broad unit carries a concentrated public-money change
The records establish that this single budget unit adds more than $9.1 million to the county-financed requirement, with purchased services responsible for most of the growth and revenue providing less support than before.
The table does not evaluate contract necessity, procurement competition or service outcomes. Those questions require the detailed budget narrative, contract register and payment ledger.
Method and limitations
The newsroom compared Schedule 9’s 2024–25 actual and 2025–26 adopted columns and calculated each change from unrounded values. No other budget units were combined with Special Services.
An adopted budget is not proof of a payment. Subsequent amendments and year-end actuals may change both spending and revenue, and transaction-level records are needed to identify recipients.