Starting today, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors will
review proposed budget recommendations for 2012 and by Friday they
must make final decisions about funding priorities and county
services.
Starting today, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors will review proposed budget recommendations for 2012 and by Friday they must make final decisions about funding priorities and county services. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
During the budget workshops in May, County Executive Jeffrey V. Smith recommended that the board adopt a budget that addressed a $219.6 million general fund shortfall. The county is facing the tenth consecutive year of significant general fund deficits and over that period closed funding gaps totaling $1.8 billion.Â
The current methods used to finance county government are inadequate to cover the cost to maintain the existing level of services. When the economy is strong, there is more tax revenue to support programs and services, according to a county press release. When the economy is weak, as it has been for the past several years, the demand for county safety net services is greater – at the same time that revenue shrinks.Â
The county executive is recommending a total county budget of $4 billion, of which the general fund share is $2.1 billion. The $219.6 million deficit applies to the general fund, which supports services that do not have fully dedicated funding, such as the sheriff, district attorney, jails, hospitals and clinics, mental health, and public health to name a few. Funds for operations such as parks and roads and airports are not included in the general fund.
Recommendations do not include reductions which may be required once the 2012 state budget is approved sometime in the summer.
BUDGET HEARINGS
All hearings are held in the board chambers, 70 W. Hedding Street in San Jose.
– June 13: 1:30 p.m. “Health and Hospital” – Public Health Department, Mental Health Department, Custody Health Services, Department of Alcohol and Drug Services, Community Health Services, Valley Health Plan, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, including SB12 & Children’s Health Initiative
– June 14: 1:30 p.m. “General Government Departments” – Special Programs and Reserves, Appropriations for Contingencies, Board of Supervisors, Clerk of the Board, Office of the County Executive (including LAFCO), Office of the Assessor, Information Services Department, Facilities and Fleet, Capital Budget, Measure B Transportation Improvement Program, Procurement Department, Office of the County Counsel, Registrar of Voters, Communications Department, County Library, Employee Services Agency, Finance Agency
6:30 p.m. – “Children, Seniors and Families” – Department of Child Support Services, In Home Supportive Services, Social Services Agency (Agency Office, Department of Family and Children’s Services, Department of Employment and Benefits Services, Department of Aging and Adult Services)
– June 15: 1:30 p.m. “Public Safety and Justice” – Office of the District Attorney, Office of the Public Defender, Office of Pretrial Services, Criminal Justice Systemwide Costs, Office of the Sheriff, Medical Examiner-Coroner, Department of Correction, Probation Department
“Housing, Land Use, Environment and Transportation” – Department of Planning and Development, Department of Agriculture and Environmental Management, Department of Environmental Health, Vector Control District, Department of Parks and Recreation, Roads and Airports, County Fire Districts
– June 17: 9:30 a.m. Summary and wrap-up. The board will takes its final vote on the fiscal budget for 2012.
