Orange County staff present refreshed strategic priorities; supervisors say packet arrived too late

At a Sept. 3 special workshop, Orange County staff laid out proposed updates to the county's strategic priorities and the strategic financial plan that staff expect to bring back for formal board action in December.

Kim Engelbert, the county's chief financial officer, told the board the county's total budget is $10,800,000,000 and described two primary reserve accounts: a budget-stabilization reserve set at two months of general fund operating revenue and a contingency reserve set at 15% of ongoing general-purpose revenues (about two months of discretionary revenue). "Our reserves provide flexibility and offer resources for unanticipated or cyclical economic downturns, emergencies, or catastrophic events," Engelbert said, adding that many county grants are reimbursement-based and require upfront cash outlays.

Staff present…