HOLLISTER
Although the long-term outlook for the San Benito County is less optimistic, there is an estimated surplus half way through this fiscal year of about $1.6 million in the general fund barring any emergencies, a top official told supervisors Tuesday.
“We’ve been extremely effective at expenditure levels,” County Administrative Officer Susan Thompson said.
Even though the preliminary fiscal year-end budget is estimated with a $2.8 million surplus, that number is significantly less than the $7 million surplus at the end of 2007-08, she noted.
Thompson added that the county is doing everything it can to reduce expenditures and continue providing core services.
Thompson said certain departments, such as mental health, are growing during these times due to their funding streams while other departments, such as public health, are declining and even laying off employees.
