Tullary County reports minor deficit as Fresno County surplus reaches $2.1M

Tulare County officials are grappling with a minor budget deficit, as revealed during the recent Board of Supervisors meeting. Despite a surplus of $2.1 million overall, the county faces a $40,000 shortfall, primarily attributed to rising expenses in March.

Borden, a key speaker at the meeting, highlighted that while the county is in a good financial position, the deficit could prompt a reevaluation of the upcoming plan year. "Should that deficit position continue over the next three months, we would look into our underwriting for the next plan year," he stated, indicating potential adjustments to manage costs.

A significant focus was placed on prescription drug costs, with discussions around the push for generic medications to help mitigate rising expenses. However, specific trends regarding the effectiveness of this strategy were not immediately available.

The meeting also included a report on the San Joaquin Valley Insurance Authority (SJVIA) reserve reconciliation, showing a total position of approximately $11.6 million, with a noted deficit for Tulare County. Borden clarified that this deficit does not reflect a true financial crisis but rather an underfunded stabilization reserve.

As the county navigates these financial challenges, officials are committed to monitoring expenses closely and exploring strategies to ensure fiscal stability moving forward.