District 1 Council Member· 2022-2026

Eric Arias

Bakersfield

About

Incumbent Eric Arias's re-election campaign for the Bakersfield City Council Ward 1 seat focused heavily on public safety initiatives and community investments in southeast Bakersfield. His platform addresses key local concerns while running against challengers in the ward race.

Campaign promises (1)

public-safety
Eric Arias campaigned on a platform centered around public safety and continued investment in the southeast area of Bakersfield.

At a glance

News mentions: 1

Term ending Dec 31, 2026.

Voice

Meetings spoken in: 20
Total speaking time: 1:45:31
Avg per meeting: 5:17
Segments: 2075

Want every word Arias has said?

The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Arias said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.

All categories Budget Business Jobs Development Environment General Governance Infrastructure Parks Rec Public Safety Roads

Filtered to Budget

Top issues during term (1)(Budget)

medium↑May 2026[5]

zoo funding measure

Your wallet might feel a tiny pinch, but it could lead to a better zoo experience.

Decisions during term (10)

Recorded while Arias was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.

approved7-0Oct 21, 2026

Appropriate $404,000 to the Police Department Capital Improvement Budget within the General Fund

approved5-0Sep 16, 2026

Accept and Appropriate $85,243 in BSCC grant funds to the City Manager's Office Operating Budget

approved7-0Jul 15, 2026

Appropriate $1,941,878.96 of Litigation Revenue to Domestic Water Fund Capital Improvement Budget

approved6-1Jun 24, 2026

Appropriate $80,457.53 from Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) to the Police Operating Budget within the General Fund for reimbursement of law enforcement services provided pursuant to an EMAC deployment.

Voting record (1)(Budget)

1 yes0 no

Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.

Voted yesMay 20, 2026

Receive and File Fiscal Year 2026-27 Department Budget Presentations

In the news (1)

23ABC NewsSep 26, 2026

Eric Arias

About

Campaign promises (1)

Top issues during term (1)(Budget)

zoo funding measure

Decisions during term (10)

Appropriate $404,000 to the Police Department Capital Improvement Budget within the General Fund

Accept and Appropriate $85,243 in BSCC grant funds to the City Manager's Office Operating Budget

Appropriate $1,941,878.96 of Litigation Revenue to Domestic Water Fund Capital Improvement Budget

Adoption of Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget with Amendments

Receive and File Fiscal Year 2026-27 Department Budget Presentations

Receive and File Fiscal Year 2026-27 Department Budget Presentations

Receive and File Budget Overview and Presentation

Receive and File Public Safety Vital Services Budget Preview

Receive and File Budget and Reserve Presentation

Appropriate $80,457.53 from Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) to the Police Operating Budget within the General Fund for reimbursement of law enforcement services provided pursuant to an EMAC deployment.

Voting record (1)(Budget)

Receive and File Fiscal Year 2026-27 Department Budget Presentations

In the news (1)

Bakersfield Ward 1 councilman Eric Arias makes case for re-election amid public safety push