Wasco Council Set to Consider Budget, Road Contracts; Planning Commission Meeting Canceled
Wasco's City Council had a full agenda scheduled for July 7, 2026, covering the Fiscal Year 2026-27 operating budget, capital improvement projects, and equipment purchases. However, because minutes from that meeting have not yet been published, no outcomes can be confirmed. The Wasco Planning Commission's July 13 meeting was canceled.
City Council — July 7 Agenda (Outcomes Not Yet Confirmed)
The July 7 City Council agenda listed several significant items for consideration. Because only the agenda is available and minutes have not been published, it is not possible to confirm which items were approved, modified, or continued.
Items on the agenda included:
- Approval of the FY 2026-27 Annual Operating Budget and the Five-Year (2025-2030) Capital Improvement Program
- Adoption of the FY 2026-27 appropriations limit
- Adoption of a modified salary table
- Acceptance of a $187,896.00 grant from the State Good Conservation program
- Receipt and filing of departmental payments totaling $1,078,816.71
- Authorization to purchase a skid steer from Coastline Equipment up to $175,000.00
- Authorization to purchase LED traffic signals from LED Lighting Solutions up to $70,000.00
- Authorization to purchase a motor from Coastline Equipment up to $15,000.00
- Approval of travel and training expenses for city staff, including items over $500
- A public hearing on City of Wasco vacancies, recruitment, and retention efforts
Capital Improvement Project Updates
The July 7 agenda also included informational updates on active engineering projects:
- **Beckes Road Rehabilitation (5th St – HWY 46):** Bid opened July 2, 2026; council award expected July 21, 2026; construction expected to begin mid-August.
- **REAP 2.0 Alley Reconstructions (Filburn Ave/16th St):** Bid opened July 2, 2026; council award expected July 21, 2026; construction expected to begin mid-August.
- **Central Ave ATP Bike Lane Project (Poso Ave to Flower St):** Design reported at 95% complete; construction expected in September 2026.
- **HAWK pedestrian signal at Poplar Ave & HWY 46:** Pole delivery delayed; the city is working with the contractor on new dates.
- **8th St & HWY 43 crosswalk enhancements (RRFB):** Pole delivery delayed; the city is working with the contractor on new dates.
- **Filburn Ave shoulders (Central Ave to Palm Ave and Griffith St to G St):** Caltrans funding authorization received July 3, 2026.
- **NE Zone Pavement Maintenance and Citywide Striping Project:** Bid opening scheduled for July 7, 2026.
Planning Commission Meeting Canceled
The Wasco Planning Commission's regular meeting scheduled for July 13, 2026 was canceled. No agenda items were considered. The next regular meeting is set for 6:00 p.m. on Monday, August 10, 2026, at the Council Chambers, 746 8th St, Wasco.
Coming Up — July 21 City Council Meeting
The next City Council meeting is scheduled for July 21, 2026. Items on the upcoming agenda include:
- REAP 2.0 Alley Improvement Project contract with Bowman Asphalt, Inc., not to exceed $709,218.00
- Beckes Street Road Rehabilitation Project contract with Westrock LLC, not to exceed $349,999.00
- NE Zone Fiber Seal Project agreement with VSS International, Inc., not to exceed $218,211.00
- State of California Office of Traffic Safety grant in the amount of $48,000.00
- Software license renewal with P1 Technologies for $17,925.00
- Amended Salary Schedule for FY 2026-2027
- A request for Kern County to provide services for the November 3, 2026 General Election
- A closed session to discuss potential litigation and labor negotiations
Residents can attend the July 21 meeting at the Council Chambers, 746 8th St, Wasco.