LAKE COUNTY — The Lake County Board of Supervisors passed a $2.4 million budget Sept. 8. The vote was unanimous.
County Administrative Officer Kelly Cox said the $2.4 million budget is $900,000 greater than the amount in the recommended budget approved in June.
According to Cox, the budget is structurally balanced, increases reserves and contingency funds and the General Fund remains debt-free. Additionally, Cox said a significant amount of one-time funding is being set aside for some of the board”s highest priorities.
“The local impacts of the national recession and the continuing financial crisis within California”s state government have resulted in extraordinary difficulties for local governments throughout California,” Cox said. “Certain discretionary revenues have been declining while the demand for public services is on an increase. This has presented budgetary challenges to all local governments but is a challenge that our county is prepared to effectively address.”
Cox said that while the budget is very conservative in terms of appropriations for ongoing operational expenses it is also a very workable budget that will enable the county to continue progressing throughout many years.
Cox said that the most significant budgetary concern that remains unsolved is the state budget and its potential impact on the county budget. “The budget proposals being discussed in Sacramento still consist of widely varying approaches toward balancing the state budget and it remains impossible to predict what the final outcome will be or its impact on local government,” he said.
Cox said that high unemployment and foreclosure rates are negatively impacting the county”s revenue base. Consequently, he said it is important to continue preparing for the economic uncertainties and challenges ahead. He said this is accomplished by increasing county reserves and contingencies as well as by reducing ongoing operational costs.
Cox said that the county has taken and will continue taking aggressive actions to help stimulate the local economy. The budget contains many appropriations that will help the local economy, he said. “The county”s Economic Development Program and the Redevelopment Agency are actively promoting investment opportunities to private investors and will continue doing so during the coming year,” he said. “The Redevelopment Agency also will continue making significant progress on several major projects this year, all with the goal of attracting private investments to the Northshore communities.”
Cox said funding for several capital projects is included in the budget, many of which he said will result in long-term benefits to the county and particularly to the unincorporated communities.
Cox said a special appropriation of $1 million is earmarked to help address Clear Lake algae, aquatic weeds and other water quality issues. Also included in the budget is a $750,000 appropriation of General Fund one-time money for supplemental road maintenance in the form of chip sealing and similar projects that will help to improve the conditions of the county”s roads in the unincorporated areas, Cox said. The supplemental funding is in addition to the Road Division”s regular budget of $17.4 million.
Contact South County reporter Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
