LAKEPORT >> The Lake County Board of Supervisors held a mid-year budget review on Tuesday, following a lengthy hearing on the secession proposal. The news was generally positive.
“At the midpoint of 2014/15 fiscal year, the county’s budget remains in balance,” Lake County Administrative Officer Matt Perry said.
Perry suggested several adjustments, including position allocations in two county departments, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Lake County Social Services.
The Sheriff’s Office had requested an end to the idea of funding a vacant secretary position in order to allow the reinstatement of a sheriff-coroner assistant that was eliminated while Frank Rivero was sheriff.
As for the social services allocation, the department requested changing a vacant resources and referral specialist position to a Child Protective Services (CPS) supervisor position. In doing so, the department will meet state law requirements for child welfare case reviews.
Multiple budget units saw unexpected increases in funds, including the library budget, which had a carryover balance $9,000 greater that estimated, according to Perry. The unanticipated revenue will cover appropriations for one-time stipends, California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) buy-down, as well as partially cover existing appropriations. Meaning that $41,000, rather than $50,000 is needed from the General Fund to cover costs of providing visitor information services through the library system.
The buy-down is a one-time additional contribution to CalPERS to reduce unfunded liability.
“It would reduce our rates a little bit … and by contributing $500,000 of general fund money, we can leverage that to a total contribution to $1.4 million,” Perry said.
The buy-down would result in approximately $67,000 in saving to the general fund each year for the next several years, Perry asserted. Additionally, sales tax totals have exceeded estimates so far this year.
“If receipts continue at this rate, actual receipts will exceed the estimate by well over $100,000,” Perry said.
There is a possibility that the total amount received may equal to the amount received each year before the recession, Perry added. “
Furthermore, because of a correction in the state’s Public Safety Sales Tax allocation, a one-time increase of a little more than $47,000 will be given back to the county.
“Even without this … year-to-date receipts are ahead of budget estimates,” Perry said. “Therefore, the revenue estimate is increase by an additional $16,066.”
Finally, $600,000 will be used to fund the jail improvement project because of “a larger than anticipated fund balance carry-over.” The carry-over will also provide an additional $500,000 to the South Main Water project, “to ensure rates are affordable and to obtain property owner support … to preserve the county’s tax base.”
The supervisors unanimously approved the mid-year budget as read with a 5-0 vote.
