The San Benito County Board of Supervisors will spend several
days starting Tuesday revising and approving next year’s budget in
a series of public meetings. A $9.2 million deficit will be filled
through money from the county’s reserves and fund balance. The
county expects to have a bigger budget and more revenue next year,
but it will use twice as many dollars from its reserve fund than in
2009-10.
The San Benito County Board of Supervisors will spend several days starting Tuesday revising and approving next year’s budget in a series of public meetings.
The proposed document is 522 pages and its spending budget totals $122.85 million for the fiscal year that started July 1. The general fund is projected to be $37.54 million but the county’s revenue is expected to be $28.3 million. The budget is the second consecutive year in the county’s effort to downsize because of the economic times.
“Fiscal Year 2010-11 is the second year of a three-year budget plan previously adopted by your Board which envisioned the gradual downsizing of operating budgets to adjust expenses to address revenue downturns,” said a statement by County Administrative Officer Susan Thompson that opens the document.
The $9.2 million gap will be filled through money from the county’s reserves and fund balance. The county expects to have a bigger budget and more revenue next year, but it will use twice as many dollars from its reserve fund than in 2009-10.
The reason for the larger budget is due to nearly $1 million in grant money being rewarded to the county for three programs, the California First Energy efficiency program, land development projects and HOME program load funds, Thompson noted.
Other than the rewarded money, the county’s operating cost is $481,916 less than last year.
The document also recommends a reduction in the county’s workforce to meet its goal of reduced spending. The document highlights two departments, the district attorney’s office and agricultural commissioner’s office, where it notes that high-paid and high-level positions were opening up. It suggests that the county exchange the positions with lower-level or less-expensive positions.
Recommendations also include the cutting of pay by establishing unpaid furloughs and eliminating negotiated cost-of-living increases.
“The continued cooperation of our employees will be vital to achieving permanent budget sustainability,” according to the written statement from Thompson.
The document also raises the possibility of the county consolidating its 911 services with the Santa Cruz Regional 911 Joint Powers Authority.
It also sets aside $15,000 for evaluating the possibility of combining police services of the county and Hollister.
