County staff present year‑end budget picture as supervisors consider chip sealer, road repairs and public safety hires

Tuolumne County staff presented a year‑end budget review and a recommended approach to estimated general‑fund ending balances during Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting, telling the board they currently estimate roughly $5.7 million in general‑fund ending fund balance.

Liz Peterson and Sean Cole of the county administrator’s office walked supervisors through revenue and expense projections and recommended how to allocate the estimated balance as the county develops the fiscal‑year 2025–26 budget. The budget team recommended using fund balance for a mix of needs: a $1 million allocation to next‑year contingencies, $1 million for capital (deferred maintenance for county buildings), $500,000 reserved as a placeholder for reserves (to be formally transferred once year‑end actuals are finalized), and about $560,000 to help balance next year’s operating budget if needed. Peterson noted these are estimates; the auditor‑controller’s final closing of the books in July/August will produce final fund balances.

Staff also reported downward pressure on revenue projections. Sean Cole described a decline in sales tax trends and reduced forecasts for transient…