Humboldt County warns general fund could turn negative by FY26–27 in 5‑year forecast

Deputy County Administrator Jessica Maciel told the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors that the county’s five‑year general fund forecast projects the fund will go negative in fiscal year 2026–27 unless further action is taken.

The forecast, a five‑year projection limited to the general fund, shows “maintaining as‑is expenditures will continue to outpace revenues at an increasing rate,” and projects a deficit that could reach about negative $77 million by fiscal year 2029–30, Maciel said. She described the outlook as a “moderate scenario,” and said she was presenting a conservative view to the board.

Why it matters: a negative general fund balance would limit the board’s ability to adopt a budget because the county cannot adopt a budget that relies on a negative fund balance. Maciel warned that more impactful reductions or new revenue will be required to produce a balanced budget in coming years.

Key assumption…