Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
County budget update: staff report $35.2 million general fund gap after new HHSA shortfall
Summary
Budget staff told supervisors the general‑fund gap for FY 2026–27 remains large; departmental reduction proposals total ~$21.8M pending review and Health & Human Services Agency identified an additional $11.7M general‑fund need that raises the gap to about $35.2M.
Chief Financial Officer Tom Haines and Chief Budget Official Laura Liddicott briefed the board on the county’s FY 2026–27 budget development process. Staff told supervisors the general fund base budget gap projected earlier this year was approximately $26.9M; departmental reduction options submitted through February totaled roughly $21.8M and staff are reviewing those proposals for feasibility.
During March presentations HHSA leadership identified an additional need of $11.7M in general‑fund support to maintain current service levels due to changes in federal and state funding streams, including administrative cost impacts associated with HR1 and other program shifts. When staff included the HHSA backfill in the calculations the projected general‑fund gap rose from about $23.5M to roughly $35.2M.
Staff emphasized this item was informational: the board previously directed an initial set of general fund reductions and asked staff to continue developing revenue‑enhancement options. The board’s ad hoc revenue generation committee will report back in May with proposals; staff will return in April with detailed reduction scenarios and in June with recommended budget actions for adoption on a June 9 timeline.
Supervisors asked for clear public messaging about what drives the shortfall, including which impacts are caused by federal changes such as HR1 versus local budgeting decisions. Staff said they are coordinating with HHSA and statewide county associations to seek state relief and will include timing information so board decisions can consider anticipated revenue changes.
No board votes were taken on new cuts at the March 24 informational update; staff requested continued direction and emphasized the complexity of timelines tied to layoffs, bargaining unit procedures and vacancy‑savings timing.
