LAKEPORT >> The Lake County Board of Supervisors approved the final 2016-2017 fiscal year budget at a special meeting on Wednesday.
According to County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson, the recommended appropriation total for all county operations is about $219.6 million — an approximately $15.8 million increase from last year. The bump, she said, is largely due to the disaster aid received from the federal and state governments.
For instance, the county plans to use every cent of $1.3 million in assistance it received from California’s budget to backfill the property tax loss from the fires, which is now estimated to be more than $2 million.
“We remain very appreciative of the governor and our state legislators for their support in this regard,” Huchingson said in a staff report.
Losses were felt in other revenue streams like Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT). Thanks to the Valley Fire, the money received from all the county’s lodging businesses is expected to plummet by $121,000.
The setbacks forced the county’s administrative staff to use of reserves to not only maintain current employee levels but to add staff, such as an Office of Emergency Services Assistant and more community development personnel to help aid the recovery effort.
“Given the impact of local disasters, this recommended final budget has required the use of one-time funds in order to be balanced,” Huchingson added. “To do otherwise would have necessitated deep layoffs, rendering GF departments unable to maintain basic service levels and preventing other impacted departments from providing essential services related to disaster recovery.”
Unfortunately, this budget doesn’t account for the costs related to the Clayton Fire of mid-August. Huchingson expects that to be estimated by the mid-year budget review. In the meantime, the county has been pleading with Sacramento for more assistance.
“No other small California county has been impacted by recent disasters to the extent Lake County has,” she noted. “Our discussions of need with the state thus far have been positive and we hopefully await a formal response.”
After nearly 7 hours of discussion, the budget was passed unanimously, 5-0.
District 3 Supervisor Jim Steele was pleased with the budget in spite of the tough situation. He praised the county’s staff for their hard work and willingness to make sacrifices.
“The budget went smoothly with so many people involved,” he said. “I was quite impressed … we may be going sideways a little bit but at least we’re not going backwards.
Another resolution maintaining the hiring freeze for all positions financed by the county’s general fund. Department heads must seek Huchingson’s approval to make a hire. It was also passed unanimously.
