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Supervisors press CEO on $24 million jail-closure funding gap; CEO points to supplemental budget window
Summary
Supervisor Janice Hahn and others pressed the CEO about a $24 million gap identified by the Jail Closure Implementation Team for FY 2026-27. The CEO said that amount is not in the final-changes budget and recommended addressing it in the supplemental budget in September.
Supervisor Janice Hahn asked the Chief Executive Officer whether the final-changes budget closes a $24 million shortfall that the Jail Closure Implementation Team said was necessary in FY 2026-27 to keep the five-year plan on track to close Men's Central Jail.
Hahn said the implementation team's Part One report included dollar amounts for keeping the five-year timeline, and she asked whether the CEO's presentation satisfied the team's request. "Is there a disconnect between what you presented and what they feel they still need to keep us on track?" she asked.
Nicchitta responded that the $24 million is not currently included in the final-changes budget. "There's a gap," he said, and noted the board will return to supplemental budget phases later in the year when additional state revenue and grant awards can be programmed. He emphasized that some funding sources (CFCI, AB-109, state grants) are varied and that the budget phases are not complete.
Board members urged the CEO to find funding in time for the supplemental cycle so the county does not fall behind the jail-closure timeline. Multiple public commenters and advocacy organizations also urged the Board to prioritize the implementation funding, arguing community-based diversion is cost-effective compared with continued incarceration.
No formal appropriation of the $24 million occurred at the meeting; supervisors recorded direction to the CEO to continue seeking revenue and return with supplemental budget recommendations.
