The Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors on a unanimous vote approved a recommended budget for fiscal year 2025–26 that totals $438,749,089 and relies on one-time funds and internal transfers to close near-term shortfalls.

The budget presentation, delivered by Sherry Lawson, deputy client, showed $234,700,000 in appropriations and $203,900,000 in projected revenues for the county-wide budget. Lawson told the board that the county is facing a roughly $10,000,000 imbalance in the general fund and used one-time monies and other sources to close the gap for the coming year.

Lawson said officials moved $5,700,000 in one-time funds to balance part of the current year’s shortfall and used local assistance and tribal consistency funds to cover the remainder. “If we do have to move that money, then it’s gone,” Lawson said, describing the limits of relying on nonrecurring revenue.

Nut graf: The approved plan preserves current services in the short term but depends on one-time revenue and departmental cost reductions; supervisors and staff repeatedly warned that without structural revenue increases or significant cost reductions the county could confront a multi‑million‑dollar general‑fund gap next year.

Budget detail and board discussion

Lawson told the board that the proposed budget represents a 3% decrease from the current adopted budget and that departments were asked to submit status‑quo requests and reduce discretionary spending where possible. She cited a sharp drop in general‑fund revenues caused in part by the end of last year’s atypical one‑time inflows, including settlement proceeds and rental reimbursements.

The presentation emphasized steadily rising fixed costs — such as workers’ compensation, general liability, unemployment and health insurance — that are not matched by rising revenues. Lawson said some departments complied with reduction requests while work on the sheriff’s department budget did not reach agreement, requiring staff to reorganize certain costs internally; she said the sheriff’s overall budget still increased by more than $2,000,000 compared with the current year.

Board members pressed for details on the numbers and asked how much one‑time money had been used to balance the budget; Lawson confirmed $5,700,000. Supervisors and staff discussed options including updating departmental fee schedules, exploring revenue opportunities such as power authority contributions, and considering targeted cuts if revenue increases do not materialize.

Direction and next steps

The board’s action adopted the recommended budget motion presented at the hearing and included a county‑wide directive for departments to implement fee increases where justified by cost analysis. County Administrator Angela Davis thanked staff and acknowledged the challenges ahead; supervisors reiterated the need to find sustainable revenue sources to avoid deeper cuts or layoffs in future years.

Closing and vote

The board moved and seconded the recommended motion and recorded a unanimous vote in favor. Votes recorded at the public hearing were: Supervisor Valenzuela — yes; Supervisor Howe — yes; Supervisor Harris — yes; Supervisor Kopsa — yes; Supervisor O’Brien — yes.

Ending: Supervisors and county staff said they will return to the board with additional analysis and options for revenue generation and cost containment as the county prepares for the next budget cycle.