- a weekly column published in the Pioneer Press

The California Senate and Assembly have passed their respective versions of the State budget and will meet together on August 18 to reconcile them. The final budget will then be forwarded to the Governor for line item vetoes and final approval.  

At this point, we do know that both the Senate and Assembly have proposed a $1.1 million reduction of in the amount of Vehicle Licensing Fees (VLF) that will come to Siskiyou County’s General Fund. There is also a provision to swap or “flip” county sales tax revenues for currently diverted local property tax revenues. Although this appears to be an equal swap, it will alter county cash flow and interest income. We also know that the Senate has proposed eliminating backfill for booking fees and rural crime monies, but the Assembly version reinstates these funds.   

Proposals in the Senate version include reductions in COPS (Citizens’ Option for Public Safety) funds; Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention; the War on Methamphetamine program; prosecution for rape, elder and child abuse; and various court and law enforcement-related functions. Funding for law enforcement and court programs seem to have been particularly targeted on the State level. The Senate budget also includes a reduction of funding for transportation and community redevelopment.

In preparation for the impact of the final State budget on County General Fund revenue, effected county departments have been directed to make new additional budget cuts totaling around $2 million. (This will be adjusted by any carryover departmental fund balances.) Certain General Fund expenditures have already been contracted for the year at severely reduced levels, (economic development, tourism, data processing.) Others have already been negotiated – insurance, employee benefits, County fire protection. The current County budget reduction will not effect these.

Some services, (human and Medi-Cal services for unemployed and low income beneficiaries,) are primarily funded through special earmarked State and Federal funds or reimbursed through fee for services programs. These are entitlement programs and may require a relatively small county match. The Senate budget proposes to reduce the reimbursement paid to the counties for Medi-Cal health programs and mental health managed care.    

Services/departments funded from the General Fund pot that will be effected by the current round of cuts include the Board of Supervisors, Assessor, Auditor, Tax Collector,  Elections and County Clerk, Administration, the D.A.,  Sheriff,  County Counsel, Juvenile Hall (does not include building grant,) Probation, Agricultural Commissioner, Building Department, Planning, Veterans Services, the County Museum and Libraries.

This round of cuts to the County General Fund budget will be very painful. Some County services may be severely reduced or discontinued. Some departments may be combined. The “hard freeze” on new employees will remain in effect. It is probable that there will be some reduction in the County workforce in those departments under the General Fund.

The final Siskiyou County budget will be considered on Tuesday September 9.