California City is in trouble. In the span of one month, the city has fired its fire chief, city clerk, and chief of police — with more cuts likely to come.
Fire Chief Jeremy Kosick and City Clerk Socorro Chavez were let go last month and replaced with interims. Officials cited a massive budget shortfall. Police Chief Jesse Hightower was let go on Monday.
“We’re pretty much a city that’s teetering on the edge of bankruptcy,” Mayor Kelly Kulikoff told 23 ABC.
Acting City Manager Latisha Lamberth is looking to cut at least $2 million by June.
“There are a lot more budget cuts coming and they need to come sooner than later," Kulikoff confirmed. He described the situation in California City as “kind of like a circus.”
That may be an understatement. In addition to the chiefs and the clerk, the city council saw the resignation of Councilmember Karen Macedonio in January. The city has also cycled through several city managers in the past year alone. A recent grand jury report blasted the city for its dysfunction, including the constant turnover in management, as well as a lack of transparency.
City officials were banking on the extension of a special parcel tax to fund essential services, but the measure was rejected by voters in March. The city may now pursue a special election for a public safety parcel tax.