Public mental health programs could be cut
Public health services are most likely to take the brunt of the budget cutting blow as Santa Clara County supervisors try to close a $171 million deficit.
Since the state is facing a budget crisis with a projected $14 billion deficit, funds are being reduced at the county level, making it much more difficult to erase the county’s projected $171 million deficit during the 2008-09 fiscal year.
County Executive Pete Kutras’ office is expected to examine departmental budget cut proposals March 17-28.
Supervisors are currently reviewing separate departmental budget proposals.
On May 5, Kutras’ office will present his recommended budget to supervisors. The document will also be available for public scrutiny.
Supervisors will hold budget workshops May 13-15 and final budget hearings June 9-11, before the budget is finally adopted June 13. They’re expected to meet again in August to further discuss the adopted budget.
On Feb. 12 Kutras presented its 2008-09 mid-year budget report to supervisors. His staff explained that since Nov. 6, 2007 – when they had established previous reduction targets to close the deficit – there had been a downturn in revenues that would ultimately make the county’s financial outlook even gloomier than earlier predicted.
County leaders realized instead of facing an earlier projected deficit of $154 million they are now facing a $171 million deficit.
According to Santa Clara County Budget Director Leslie Crowell the negative financial forecast means, possibly, remedying the situation by using one-time funds to meet critical needs.
The money would come from reserve funds that the county hasn’t yet used, and that are kept for situations like this, when the county is facing a deficit, or in case of an emergency, said Crowell.
“It’s always kind of a refinement against the way things were supposed to go and the way things are going. A budget is a plan, but things change,” added Crowell.
Last November, cuts considered to help correct the deficit were supposed to include reductions to finance and government operations including the County Executive’s Office, the Registrar of Voters’ Office, and Information Services, among others.
A wide variety of cuts were to be made to public safety and justice programs including the Public Defender’s Office, Sheriff’s Office, and Department of Corrections. Those programs, however, seem to have been preserved and will be looked at again for possible reductions during fiscal year 2010.
Hardest hit by the proposed budget reductions could be the health and hospital system. The county, however, has decided to preserve the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center.
County budget process at a glance
March 7: Departmental plans provided to Board of Supervisors.
March 17-28: Meetings with County Executive on fiscal year 2009 budget.
March and April: Board committees hear departmental budget proposals.
May 5: Fiscal year 2009 County Executive Pete Kutras’ recommended budget to Board of Supervisors.
May 13-15: Board budget workshops.
June 9-11, 13: Board budget hearings.
