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Board approves midyear budget package that includes permanent cuts, position eliminations and layoff notices
Summary
Tuolumne supervisors voted 4–1 to approve midyear budget adjustments that implement board‑directed 15% cuts (prorated), shift roughly $2.6 million to contingencies and eliminate 22.5 positions (10 filled). The board instructed staff to pursue follow‑up workshops and to return a recommended FY25‑26 budget in June.
The Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a midyear budget package that combines regular midyear adjustments with board‑directed permanent reductions intended to close projected shortfalls.
Deputy County Administrator Liz Petersen and budget staff described the package as two parts: routine midyear adjustments and a set of long‑term 15% reductions to non‑public‑safety general‑fund departments (prorated for the remainder of the fiscal year). "The direction from your board was that these cuts should be long term and permanent," Petersen told the board.
Details the board approved include increasing contingencies by $2,598,680, adopting departmental reductions and recognition of unanticipated revenues, and personnel actions that eliminate a total of 22.5 allocated positions (10 filled positions subject to layoff notices and 12.5 vacant positions removed from the position list). Budget staff said the prorated savings for the remainder of FY24‑25 from the personnel actions is about $868,125 and projects roughly $2.5 million in recurring savings next fiscal year if reductions remain in place.
The package drew substantial public comment. Union representatives and county employees urged the board to delay layoffs until the end of the fiscal year and to pursue alternatives such as furloughs or additional bargaining, arguing more time would allow placement of affected staff in other county roles. "Please don't take any action today to approve these layoffs; revisit this in late June," a union representative said.
In debate, supervisors emphasized both the necessity of fiscal balance and the human cost of layoffs. Supervisor Jaren Kirk framed the step as part of a broader set of actions to avoid insolvency and preserve core services; Supervisor Ryan Campbell expressed concern about timing and urged more time to mitigate employee impacts.
At the same time, the board preserved several areas from cuts: public safety departments and library and recreation were exempted from the 15% target; some of those departments nevertheless offered voluntary contributions without service reductions. Staff also described capital project reprioritizations and delays to cover shortfalls and fund urgent projects such as dispatch improvements.
The board approved the budget actions and personnel actions (including direction to issue layoff notices) by a recorded vote of 4–1, with Supervisor Campbell casting the lone no vote. Staff said they will continue work on efficiency options and will bring the recommended FY25‑26 budget to the board on June 17 and a follow‑up workshop on April 15.
The board also directed staff to present a fuller plan for the proposed $1.8 million dispatch upgrade at the next meeting; staff said a presentation with design, reusability of equipment and budget details will be prepared for the board.
