County's Proposed Budget Includes New Deputies for Rancho Mission Viejo

Orange County officials today released a proposed $6.1 billion budget for the 2016-17 fiscal year, up from last year's $5.8 billion budget.

Some of the more notable expenditures include a boost in spending for the Orange County Sheriff's Department to cover four additional patrol deputies for the Rancho Mission Viejo development in an unincorporated area near Mission Viejo and a two-person team to fight cyber crime such as identity theft, phishing scams and ransomware threats, according to Brian Wayt, executive director of the department's administrative services command.

"As of now we have nothing dedicated to it," Wayt said of cyber crime. "An increase in cyber crime fighting is something we've wanted to start to get a handle on."

The Orange County District Attorney's Office will see a $2 million increase in funding and be able to add 29 positions to address what officials say is "increased complexity of cases and administrative services functions."

The County Counsel's Office has requested an extra $3.5 million to cover the expense of outside legal services, which officials have recommended approving.

The county has also acquired property in Anaheim for a full-service facility to serve the homeless, which is scheduled to open in the coming fiscal year.

Money has also been set aside for a new animal shelter on 10 acres at the former Tustin Marine Corps base. Construction on the facility is set for this summer. The old shelter in Tustin has come under criticism in recent years from Orange County Grand Jury reports and animal activists.

Budget officials also have left room for a $25 million payment to the state, which is part of a settlement of a tax dispute. It is the third of five payments that will total $150 million to settle a lawsuit over the distribution of vehicle license fees.

County officials anticipate 4 percent growth in property tax revenue and a 3.5 percent increase in funds connected with the passage of Proposition 172, which is dedicated to public safety costs.

County supervisors will hold their first of two public meetings on the budget on June 14.

City News Service