Kern’s Wildlife Resources Fund Moves From a $4,320 Surplus to a $1,800 Shortfall

A $6,120 change in a very small account

Wildlife Resources received $5,662 in 2024–25 and spent $1,342, leaving $4,320. The adopted plan budgets $5,500 in revenue and $7,300 in spending, producing a $1,800 shortfall.

Revenue falls 2.9%, while spending rises $5,958, or 444.0%. Most of the adopted expense is $7,000 in other charges; services and supplies account for $300.

The dollars are small relative to the countywide budget, but the direction changes: the fund moves from adding to its balance to drawing on it.

The program purpose is not visible in the summary

Schedule 9 does not identify the source of the fines, the recipient of the other charges, wildlife projects or measurable outcomes. No conclusion about species protection or enforcement performance follows from these figures alone.

The analysis establishes the financing change and a clear follow-up: publish the transaction ledger and program description so the public can connect this small restricted account to the work it supports.