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Board adopts 2025–26 budget priorities and federal/state legislative platform after focus-group briefings
Summary
The board unanimously approved a budget-priority framework for FY 2025–26 emphasizing mandated services, optimization of existing resources and new or enhanced programs focused on homelessness, behavioral health and road maintenance in unincorporated areas. Staff also presented the county's 2025–26 federal and state legislative priorities.
The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 7 approved a set of budget priorities for fiscal year 2025–26 and adopted a federal and state legislative platform that will guide the county’s advocacy over the next two years.
County staff presented findings from November 2024 focus groups conducted by FM3 Research and a summary of 2023–24 state and federal legislative activity. David Metz of FM3 reported results from four in-person focus groups that reinforced survey findings: homelessness, substance use and related impacts, and the cost of living were among residents’ top concerns; roads were the primary infrastructure concern, especially among unincorporated-area residents; renters expressed particular pessimism about near-term affordability. In the focus groups participants prioritized prevention strategies for homelessness—connecting at-risk people to resources and supportive services—and strongly rated supportive services (physical/mental health, substance use disorder and employment support) as extremely important.
Alicia Debord, the county’s governmental relations officer, reviewed state and federal wins and risks, noting recent federal earmarks for local projects and the potential for shifting federal priorities in 2025. Amanda Thomas, the county’s chief fiscal officer, explained the budget-priority framework the county has used since 2021. The board retained the three-part framework for 2025–26: (1) fulfill legal, financial and policy obligations and provide mandated services; (2) optimize the use of county resources, improving effectiveness where possible and aligning budgets with community priorities; and (3) fund new or enhanced programs addressing the most critical needs, with countywide emphasis on homelessness and behavioral health and an unincorporated-area emphasis on road maintenance.
Supervisors who spoke during the discussion cited concerns raised in the focus groups. Supervisor Rich Desmond asked staff to monitor a developing state-level proposal to regulate transports of people experiencing homelessness across counties and signaled support for legislation that would require stronger verification before jurisdictions provide transportation that relocates unsheltered residents. Supervisor Patrick Kennedy and Supervisor Jim Hume emphasized continued advocacy for Delta water and other regional priorities.
The board voted unanimously to adopt the 2025–26 budget priorities and to approve the federal and state legislative platform.
