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Madera County projects $4.5 million FY24–25 deficit; staff cites vacancy savings and procurement reviews
Summary
County administrative staff told supervisors the FY24–25 deficit has narrowed to $4.5 million from an adopted $6.8 million shortfall, driven by vacancy savings and public-safety spending trends; staff signaled limited remaining one-time savings and outlined procurement reviews and property-surplus follow-ups.
MADERA COUNTY, Calif. — County Administrative Office staff told the Board of Supervisors Feb. 25 that the fiscal year 2024–25 general-fund gap is expected to be about $4.5 million, roughly the same shortfall reflected in first-quarter projections.
Joel Begay, county administrative officer, said the board adopted a $6.8 million deficit during budget hearings but that first-quarter adjustments brought that estimate down to about $4.5 million and that January actuals are tracking to that revised figure.
Begay said much of the projected improvement comes from vacancy savings across departments and spending below net county cost in several non–public-safety units. “We do review each request to fill,” he told supervisors, adding that public-safety hires are reviewed under exemptions to meet operational needs.
What staff is doing: Begay said the county is continuing vacancy-management efforts but that further vacancy savings would likely begin to impact service levels. The county has also contracted a review of utility and communications spending with ProcureAmerica (a procurement consultant), with an expected draft in March, and is reviewing copier contracts and opportunities to consolidate functions to realize savings ahead of the FY25–26 budget cycle.
Property and other items: A supervisor asked about the former agricultural commissioner’s facility on Pondera (Porte? Poudre?) Avenue; Begay said the county pursued surplus status years ago, later removed it from surplus and has since referred the site for a brownfields analysis funded through EPA money. Staff said the Ventura County Superintendent of Schools expressed interest in acquiring a portion of the site for a school site. Begay said he will return with a status report after environmental analysis is complete.
Timing: Begay said department budgets are due in March and recommended discussions between the administrative office and departments through mid-April as the board prepares for next year’s budget. He described the current projection as “not a significant revision” from the first-quarter estimate and said staff will continue efforts to identify incremental savings without jeopardizing public safety.
Speakers: The presentation and discussion were led by Joel Begay; supervisors asked follow-up questions about surplus property and services.
