BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The city of Bakersfield can move forward with buying the Bank of America building in the downtown area following the City Council’s approval on Wednesday.
The Council voted 4-2 to approve a $12.1 million interfund loan from the city’s Equipment Fund to fund the purchase. Council members Zack Bashirtash and Ken Weir voted no and Vice Mayor Manpreet Kaur was absent.
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Bashirtash said it makes him “sick to (his) stomach” to use taxpayer money to pay off the loan’s 2.5% interest for the next 12 years. He expressed wariness about this project costing the city so much money, saying the city could spend that money in other areas like jail beds.
On the other hand, Council member Larry Koman said he believes this is a fair financial deal that counts as a good overall purchase for the city…