San Benito supervisors adopt amended FY25–26 budget with layoffs, use $584,708 in reserves to avoid furloughs

The San Benito County Board of Supervisors voted 5–0 on Oct. 1 to adopt amendments to the county’s fiscal year 2025–26 budget that implement staff reductions, a hiring and step freeze, and limited one‑time use of reserves to avoid a proposed countywide furlough.

The budget resolution approved by the board directs the county administrative officer to delete vacant positions, carry out layoffs of specified filled full‑time positions and temporary assignments, continue a hiring and step freeze, and limit travel and new contractual commitments for the fiscal year. The board also approved using $584,708 from the general fund reserves in lieu of implementing the proposed 3.08% furlough across general‑fund employees.

The vote followed presentations and public comment during a continuation of the public hearing on proposed amendments to the recommended budget. County Administrative Officer (CAO) Koleo Warren summarized a multi‑stage reduction process that identified roughly $19 million in reductions across prior workshops and, after the latest round, a remaining general‑fund gap that the CAO and auditor recommended closing with a mix of one‑time funds, payroll actions and position eliminations.

Why it matters: The adopted package aims to balance the county’s operating budget while preserving the county’s reserve policy. Board members and department heads repeatedly said the cuts would reduce services or capacity in some areas, and several department heads warned that furloughs or pay freezes could accelerate turnover in already understaffed programs.

Key facts and decisions - The board approved separate item‑level amendments for behavioral health and Health & Human Services earlier in the meeting. Behavioral‑health…