LAKEPORT >> Presenting the fiscal year 2025-26 budget was Casey Moreno, the deputy county administrative officer overseeing fiscal responsibilities, who informed the board Tuesday, her priority was to maintain a balanced budget while avoiding reduction in services and benefits, yet serves county residents through efficient use of taxpayer dollars.
“It is a perfectly balanced budget,” Moreno said. “The revenue, fund balance available (FBA) matches appropriations and reserve account funds.” One of the primary buckets of funding, the General Fund, was reduced slightly in FY2025-26, slipping from $101,278,410 to $99,735,475. “But net County costs was decreased this year FY2025-26, by our adopted budget (much less than the actual used budget) and changes in the adopted budget,” added Moreno.
“So, one of the ways we can afford salary increases (this year) is by removing positions, so here’s a huge thanks to the departments willing to give up a position to help the county afford increases in salaries.” Departments relinquishing positions were: two from Auditor/Controller, Assessor, two from Information Technology, two from the District Attorney, two from the Sheriff’s Office as well as Planning and Probation Departments.
Secured property taxes plays a critical role supporting the General Fund. For county property taxes, 26.45 % is for the General Fund while.57.55% is for schools.
Cannabis taxes also provide county revenue, although less than prior years. But that will change this year because the Cannabis Equity Fund with just $400,000 remaining is to expire this year. The equity grant had relieved some cannabis businesses from tax burdens, but that program will not be renewed. What is more, Cannabis taxes allocated the first $500,000 will be disbursed to the board’s discretionary funds, while remaining revenues be split with 30% go to planning, 30% to law enforcement, 30% to economic development and housing risk reduction.
Meanwhile, regarding the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the federal contingency for COVID related expense, the board authorized a deadline for moving around committed funds on Dec. 31, 2024. Completed ARPA projects comprised $5.5 million of renewal. ARPA projects still to complete include the armory at $3 million, Kelseyville Senior Center at $460,702, the Community Development Department area plan updates at $1.6 million, Special District pump sites at $400,000. All have a Dec. 31, 2026, deadline to complete.
Racheal Dillman Parsons, director of Social Services introduced Kelli Page, deputy director, to present the department’s request for funding. Page noted the Housing Administration budget unit covers voucher choice, a.k.a Section 8. Also, the Senior Citizen Program includes senior citizen centers and matches Lake County’s funds to the Area Agency on Aging.
Regarding capital output this year, Page said they do have a request for a $20,000 lobby kiosk at their Anderson Ranch Building. “It is hoped this streamlines the document administrative process. District 2 Supervisor Bruno Sabatier, District 1 Supervisor Helen Owen and Chair E. J. Crandell all asked about DSS loans and how much a financial burden is upon the board. “It depends upon if state and federal funding is available and those budgets continue to evolve (deficits and tariffs are unresolved),” she said. Page went on to state they assist adults with substance abuse challenges, yet are required to secure treatment facilities, as the alternative sometimes is conservatorship, a less viable option. A motion was made to accept the request, and the board passed it unanimously.
Wendy Mondfrans, Probation Department director noted prior struggles filling vacancies. “We have three open positions which I have a list I can fill right now,” she said. For the last couple of years the department had a $200,000 grant through the state but the legislature cut that from the budget this year. Then they got a different grant from the State Judicial Council to help work on implementation on Proposition 36, passed last November.
Proposition 36 allows for increasing the penalty for repeat shoplifters (with two or more past convictions) of $950 in value or less from a misdemeanor to a felony, punishable by up to three years in prison and requires that sentences for those people convicted of possession of methamphetamines, fentanyl or those with two or more past convictions for drug crimes to be charged with a “treatment-mandated felony” instead of a misdemeanor. and includes up to three years in state prison.
Mondfrans noted there were recently 42 people who availed themselves for drug treatment. “I was pleased with the numbers,” she said. “We have great teamwork between Behavioral Health, Probation, Law Enforcement and the DA, making sure individuals know there’s services available.” The board passed this request by unanimous vote.
Mireya Turner, Community Development Department director, noted a request in Code Enforcement for a new position, Program Coordinator. “This reflects the increased capacity and programs within our division,” Turner said. That includes: hazardous vegetation as well as management of body cameras and drones.” She also requested three positions of Program Coordinator, with the intent of moving two current code enforcement officers into this position, as well as moving the current Program Supervisor into the Program Coordinator position. CDD also received a CDBG three-year grant which will fund two positions, one for hazardous vegetation and another for substandard housing.
Shannon Walker Smith, deputy CDD administrator, recalled while not a lot of change from 2024 to 2026, they are now working to get back into reserves for the building budget. Also, they are looking to increase salaries and identified one position they could relinquish funding to accommodate the aforementioned increases. She also pointed out they have multiple special programs happening: the Cohort Three Program. Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a 100-Day Challenge Initiative to address homelessness in California. Rapid Results Institute’s (RRI) 100-Day Challenges are designed to inspire and empower frontline teams to set ambitious goals, and to achieve housing benchmarks in 100 days.
The COPTR Program is a neighborhood beautification program and addresses public safety issues with a strategy to maintain, enhance, and/or change the character of a neighborhood over the long term. Residents may approach particular elements of the program one at a time, but focus is on the long-term vision. This was funded by the board. An illegal dumping program was funded by Cal Recycling, also abets enhanced financial support Walker-Smith noted.
