Mayor of Bakersfield, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mayor of Bakersfield |
|
|---|---|
Flag of Bakersfield
|
|
Seal of Bakersfield
|
|
.png) Karen Goh since January 3, 2017 |
|
| Style | Honorable |
| Term length | 4 years |
| Formation | 1915 |
| Salary | $24,000 |
| Website | Mayor & City Council Homepage |
The mayor of Bakersfield is the main elected leader for the city of Bakersfield, California. Before 1957, the city council chose the mayor. The mayor was also in charge of the city's daily operations.
After 1957, the mayor's job changed. The city council started to choose a city manager. This person would run the city's daily business. The people of Bakersfield then began to elect the mayor. The mayor became the city's main public leader. Mayors are elected for four-year terms. There is no limit on how many terms they can serve. The mayor's office is at City Hall.
What the Mayor Does
The rules for the mayor's job are mostly found in the Bakersfield City Charter. This is like the city's rulebook. The mayor's main role is to represent Bakersfield. They meet with leaders from other cities and businesses. They also attend important city events and ceremonies.
Mayor's Powers
The mayor has some official powers. One important power is leading all city council meetings. However, the mayor cannot stop the council from doing its work. The mayor can also call special meetings for the city council.
A very important job for the mayor is to break a tie vote. This happens if the city council members have an equal number of votes for and against something. This is rare because the council has seven members. Seven is an odd number, so ties usually do not happen. A tie can only happen if some members are absent or choose not to vote. This makes the number of active votes even.
Other Voting Times
Besides breaking ties, the mayor votes on three other things. They vote when choosing or removing the City Manager. They also vote on choosing or removing the City Attorney. The mayor also votes on city construction projects. If the city council has approved a project, but no companies want to do the work, the mayor can vote. This vote decides if city employees should do the work instead. The mayor cannot start this vote, but they can vote on it.
Past Mayors of Bakersfield
This is a list of people who have served as mayor of Bakersfield. It shows their terms and some interesting facts.
- 1915–1917 George Hay
- 1917–1919 C.L. Taylor
- 1919–1921 Jay A. Hinman
- 1921–1923 E. L. Hougham
- 1923–1924 George Haberfelde
- 1924–1929 L. K. Stoner
- 1929–1931 Elmer Martin
- 1931–1933 H.D. Headen
- 1933–1935 J.R. Gist
- 1935–1940 George E. Wilson
- 1940–1941 Fred S. Boden
- 1941–1946 Alfred Simeon
- 1946–1947 Edward G. Norris
- 1947–1951 Jake Vanderlei
- 1951–1953 Frank Sullivan
- 1953–1957 Manuel J. Carnakis
- 1957–1961 Frank Sullivan
- 1961–1965 Gene Winer
- 1965–1969 Russel V. Karlan
- 1969-1981 Donald M. Hart
- 1981–1985 Mary K. Shell (1927–2018) – She was the first woman mayor.
- 1985–1989 Thomas Anthony Payne
- 1989–1993 Clarence E. Medders
- 1993–2001 Robert "Bob" Otis Price (1932–2011)
- 2001–2017 Harvey Hall (1941–2018) – He was the 25th mayor.
- 2017–present Karen Goh – She is the first mayor of Asian descent. She is also the second woman mayor.
