LAKEPORT >> After back-to-back meetings July 20-21, Board of Supervisors approved a recommended budget, expected to receive final approval next month.
County Administrative Officer Susan Parker introduced Deputy County Administrative officer Casey Moreno who noted budget priorities aim to propose a balanced budget, maintaining service levels for Fiscal Year 2024/25. She noted the General Fund increased over $2 million to $100.7 million. Meanwhile, special revenue funds increased by $7.6 million, capital project funds by $2 million. Other increases include internal service funds by $2.5 million, enterprise funds by $4.5 million, special district funds by $3.5 million.
Regarding, General Fund appropriations, approximately half went for salaries and benefits, 30% went for services and supplies and the remaining covered contingences, construction, capital assets and other items. And with all General Fund positions, filled with appropriations as requested, it would require $101.28 million, she noted.
“Luckily, the General Fund does not utilize all funds,” she said. “Revenues improved, so we have carry-over each year,” she added. Increases were realized in the last three years. The proposed budget for FY 24/25, is slightly higher. Meanwhile, there are proposed changes to staffing, based upon a Human Resources report, June 4, the General Fund Department has a 20% vacancy, other non-General Fund departments have 21% vacancy.
For every dollar the county received from secured property tax, 57.6% goes to schools, Moreno pointed out. Then, 26.5% goes to the county, 7.55% goes to the Fire Protection, 6.03 % to Districts, as 2.24 % to cities of the county, 1.2 % to libraries, 1.9 % to roads, .96 % to water. “Cannabis tax (cultivated and business sales) had a significant increase, but that was recognized after this report was prepared,” Moreno said. However, the increase will be more included with a final recommended budget. There was $1 million in cannabis tax reported in May.
Sales taxes had a slight decline from the prior year yet was offset from increased property taxes. The county anticipates a slightly higher Transient Occupancy Tax (lodging), increase of $1 million, on average, over the year. For contingencies and reserves, there is no sign of changes, with the exception of the loan repayment by the Behavioral Health Department in the amount of $3 million. Also, there was progress of capital projects in process or nearing completion, including the Armory, partially funded by the America Recovery Plan Act. The county still has until December 31 to expend those funds and for projects under contract supported by ARPA Funds.
The BOS also heard from other department funding directors. Catherin van der Wald reported on Agriculture has three budget units, the principal one, budget unit 2601, for weights and measures ensures equity in the marketplace, and protects agriculture, the public and the environment from harm and makes sure people get what they pay for. There was no significant budget increases, but did request replacement of a 1982 model truck, including a crane. The truck is on the east coast waiting for separate delivery of the crane. to be assembled. The Board unanimously approved van der Wald’s budget.
The Board heard from the Lake County Air Quality Control Management district’s Douglas Gearhart. He explained they have just three staff yet look to hire two more. There is maybe, 50 people in the state who have the skill set they require, who are willing to work in a small, rural community rather than a larger metro area. LCAQMD’s budget unit 8799, is a grant fund set up to locate qualified staff, but often they lose grant opportunities because of tight application deadlines to meet state requirements, known as an A-87 Plan, and relies on an Auditor’s Office staffer to calculate expenses, which can include costs from the Government Administration Office, the treasurer and the General Fund Department. “That’s been done that way for decades,” explained Stephen Carter, assistant county administrative officer. It is a plan designed to provide needed services. The LCAQMD also received Board support.
Toward end of budget discussions, Chair Bruno Sabatier wondered aloud which projects needed appropriation to achieve in FY 24/25, which project is a better idea on the capital asset list. “Currently, what is being worked on by our strategic plan?” But the road map is being worked on as the Board walks through the map, he added. “We have to move the needle, of the things we’re really trying to accomplish … housing, how do we identify that? How do we find needs for capital projects for the next five years?”
Supervisor Moke Simon said, he agreed with Sabatier. “The housing money we passed up to give to the cities … but housing is the most exciting thing down the road,” he said. “Home ownership is a part of economic development, along with business growth, for our county. I’m looking forward to approval, before November, having a visioning plan for 2028.”
Sabatier recommended budget unit 1892, with an amendment, as a priority from their list of economic projects. The board voted unanimously for its approval.
