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Social Services warns of structural shortfall; board tentatively backs one‑time bridge funding
Summary
Social Services Director Daniel Nielsen told the Board the department faces a structural budget gap driven by stagnant realignment revenues, frozen state administration increases, and reduced CalFresh funding; the CEO recommended one‑time county funds to close a remaining $3.4 million shortfall in 2025–26.
Santa Barbara County’s Department of Social Services told the Board of Supervisors on April 14 that it faces a structural fiscal challenge and is asking the county to use one‑time funds to bridge a roughly $3.4 million gap for fiscal 2025–26.
Director Daniel Nielsen explained the shortfall stems from four main drivers: flat or declining 1991 and 2011 realignment revenues while the local costs those funds support have grown; a frozen increase for Medi‑Cal administrative funding; reduced CalFresh administration allocations; and large increases in county internal charges (information technology, facilities and risk costs). The department reported it had already taken $10.8 million in…
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