Tuolumne supervisors approve midyear budget package including position eliminations and capital reprioritization

Deputy County Administrator Liz Petersen and budget staff presented the midyear budget package, which implements board direction to reduce non‑public‑safety general‑fund departments by 15% (prorated) and to move $2,598,680 into contingencies. Staff outlined department‑by‑department reductions, volunteer contributions from public‑safety and library/recreation departments, and proposed capital reprioritizations that defer some building projects and accelerate others.

Budget staff reported 22.5 positions eliminated across the organization (10 filled layoffs, 12.5 vacant positions removed), producing estimated savings for this fiscal year of roughly $868,125 from personnel reductions (prorated) and a total ongoing savings approaching $2.6 million next fiscal year. Staff recommended issuing layoff notices, approving the updated allocated position list and adopting midyear appropriations and revenue recognitions.

Public testimony included union representatives and county employees asking for a delay until late June to avoid layoffs before the fiscal year end, citing potential return of revenues and greater opportunity to reassign staff. Business and community speakers urged both compassion and fiscal responsibility. Supervisors debated timing and whether to pause the $1.8 million dispatch Stryker project allocation pending a fuller public presentation; staff agreed to return with a detailed dispatch briefing at the next meeting covering design, reusable equipment and transferability to a long‑term Danbacher site.

The board voted to approve the midyear budget package and personnel actions. The final vote on the combined staff recommendation passed with four ayes and one no (Supervisor Campbell), and the board directed staff to present the dispatch details at the next meeting.