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County Finance Officer: Midyear Forecast Cuts General-Fund Deficit; Board Approves 2025–26 Budget Principles and Calendar
Summary
Siskiyou County’s midyear budget review reduced the projected general-fund gap from about $2.7 million to roughly $588,000, driven by vacant positions and unspent contracts; the board approved the county’s 2025–26 budget principles and calendar and was warned about rising risk-management costs.
Sherry Lawson, deputy administrative officer and chief fiscal officer, told the Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors that revised midyear projections cut the general-fund shortfall for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, to about $588,000 from an adopted estimate of roughly $2.7 million.
Lawson said departments were asked for six-month year-to-date projections and several initially provided unrealistic forecasts; after requesting revisions, the county’s aggregated estimates showed a much smaller deficit. “One of the big ones being savings in salaries and benefits … simply from unfilled positions and vacancies,” Lawson said, adding that unspent professional services and a new janitorial department also reduced expenditures expected this fiscal year.
Lawson asked the board to approve the 2025–26 budget principles and calendar. During discussion board members raised concerns about exposure to state and federal budget changes and flagged non-general funds that require monitoring. Lawson identified risk management as a fund of concern, noting an “unprecedented number of lawsuits” has driven up legal-defense costs and insurance expenses; she reported general liability of about $2,200,000 for the current year.
Board members emphasized the need to identify sustainable revenue options, asking departments to propose revenue-generating ideas rather than rely solely on one-time funds. One board member highlighted a recent Gazelle seedling farm project that will generate new property tax revenue and urged departments to look for similar opportunities.
The board voted to approve the 2025–26 budget principles and the proposed budget calendar. The clerk recorded roll-call affirmative votes from Supervisors Helt, Harris, Kobser and Oakridge; one supervisor was absent. In the meeting, the board also approved midyear budget actions requested by staff.
Lawson told the board she expects to present the recommended budget on March 17 and cautioned that state-level shifts could change the county’s outlook in the May revision. She encouraged departments to flag risks and coordinate with fiscal staff to mitigate costs and monitor non-general fund balances.
