by Dianne Anderson

Years of tension and turmoil at San Bernardino City Council meetings seem to be turning a cordial corner, showing signs of something to feel good about for Councilmember Kimberly Knaus of Ward 5.

The council has been contentious for a long time, but she said most of the new council is trying to make it work. One recent move that everyone is excited about is their recently named city manager, Eric Levitt, set to start on August 4.

She was encouraged to see the majority of the city council on the same page, united to help change the trajectory of the city because that position is critical.

“We’ve been without permanent leadership in that seat for over a year. It’s been a series of interim acting city managers. The turnover in that seat has been quite great,” she said. “It wasn’t met without a little bit of fanfare, but it was a process that was necessary, and I’m really excited about our new city manager that will be starting in a couple of weeks.”

In any city, everyone’s agenda is budget these days, especially considering the shortfall for San Bernardino for 2025–26, but she feels steps can be taken to ensure public safety, despite the financial constraints.

Resources can still be effectively allocated to support police and community-based safety programs.

Knaus, who has been vocal about the city’s financial situation, commended Councilmember Theodore Sanchez for leading the council in navigating some hard, but necessary decisions this budget cycle.

“I believe in transparency, but I also believe in possibility. Every department was asked to cut 5% to help balance the budget, and I don’t take lightly what that means for essential services like police and public works,” she said.

Despite the constraints, she said the council has made strategic investments reflecting values and priorities. They funded critical police vehicle replacements, such as having enough cars to patrol the neighborhoods. They also restored funds for homeless encampment cleanups, which had been completely eradicated in the new budget.

“What we collectively agreed to [wasn’t] just budget line items, they’re signals that we are focused on real solutions that improve daily life in our city. San Bernardino does have many challenges, but we also have grit,” she said.

Before being elected, Knaus had previously served as Senior Field Representative for San Bernardino County Supervisor Joe Baca Jr., where she gained experience in local government and public service.

She is also the Founder and Principal of Intraurban Strategies, a company dedicated to urban development and fostering community involvement.

In areas of economic development and business growth, she has focused on the importance of collaborations across sectors to drive and support development initiatives in the 5th Ward, which she said can still happen within the budget limitations.

Actions are being taken, or can be taken, to attract new businesses, create jobs, and revitalize the community, she said.

“Absolutely! We can and must keep moving forward. Budget limitations don’t stop vision, and they don’t stop partnerships. We have so many assets,” she said.

The city has a nationally ranked university, an international airport, hospitals, a historic downtown, and proud host of the Little League World Series.

“These are not just features, they’re foundations that we need to begin leveraging to help rebuild our city,” she said. “Our work now is to build bridges across sectors and maximize these assets with bold, smart planning. I believe we can grow our economy without bankrupting our future.”

But in this tight budget year, homelessness solutions are another issue. She said the issue must be tackled despite the budget.

“We can’t afford not to address homelessness. It is a human crisis, a public safety issue, and an economic concern. One-third of the county’s homeless population is here in our city. That is a staggering number, and it demands both compassion and action,” she said.

Knaus has proposed a regional housing approach and stressed that no one city can carry the burden alone. She referenced Mayor Acquanetta Warren and the Fontana City Council’s leadership for taking proactive steps for the unhoused.

She said San Bernardino can and should follow suit.

“If we work together across city lines and across sectors, we can create a safety net that is stronger and more effective. With the right partnerships, we can provide dignity, stability, and long-term solutions,” she said.

With Knaus’s background in leading or involvement in projects like Verdemont Community Center and SB Foodfest, she feels that maintaining momentum on key initiatives is important. Those projects, along with other grassroots success, show that impact doesn’t just start with money, but with a shared vision, intention and collaboration.

She also commended partners, including Luis Ojeda of We Are the Change SB, and many other community champions who work tirelessly for the city. She said collective work proves that big change begins with small steps, and growth is possible when participants believe and work as a team.

“Right now, I’m seeing a Council that is more unified than it’s been in years. That gives me real hope,” she said. “We’re finally operating from a place of unity, not division, and that opens the door for the transformative progress we all want to see.”

Moving forward, she said her priorities include a more intentionally focused city, and a stronger, more vibrant San Bernardino by addressing fiscal health.

“That means we must be thoughtful, strategic, and intentional about growing our revenue base, not just cutting our way to survival,” she said.