Sacramento County adopts $8.9 billion FY25‑26 budget and $2.7 billion CIP after sharp debate over public‑safety cuts

The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors adopted the county's recommended fiscal year 2025–26 budget and a five‑year capital improvement plan on June 4, approving an $8.9 billion all‑funds spending plan and a $2.7 billion capital program after several hours of presentations, public comment and debate over proposed reductions in public‑safety programs.

The board's action follows county executive David Villanueva's and chief fiscal officer Amanda Thomas's presentation of a budget the administration called balanced but still reliant on one‑time funds. The recommended plan reduces projected structural imbalance while proposing $43 million in new or expanded programs across all funds, $9 million of which are net county cost (discretionary general‑fund dollars).

Why it matters

County staff told supervisors the recommended budget reduces reliance on one‑time fund balance but does not eliminate it. The general fund includes $1,021 million in net county cost, of which $71 million is estimated available fund balance (one‑time). County leaders warned that without new revenue or further structural changes later budgets will face shortfalls and diminished reserves: discretionary reserves under the recommended plan equal roughly 5.5% of general‑fund revenues, short of the board's 17% target.

Most important facts

- Total all‑funds appropriations: $8.9 billion, a 2.8% decrease from the prior adopted year. Net appropriations (net of transfers) are about $6.9 billion. General‑fund appropriations total roughly $4.0 billion. Discretionary general‑fund revenues are budgeted at $943 million.

- Net county cost: $1,021 million (the county's discretionary budget for programs funded by property and…