La Junta De Supervisores Del Condado De Sonoma Aprueba El Presupuesto Para El Año Fiscal 2020-21

Press release from the Sonoma County Government:

September 11, 2020

En español

Santa Rosa, CA - September 11, 2020 - The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today voted unanimously to adopt a budget of $ 1.9 billion for 2020-21, which avoids layoffs and makes investments in areas critical, such as fire recovery, permanent supportive housing, response to COVID-19, and homeless and mental health services.

The Board began its budget review process this year with the need to address a projected deficit of $ 45.7 million, due to declining revenue associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and economic recession. As a result, the recommended budget suggested the reduction of more than 100 positions, including 55 layoffs of current employees. But the Board avoided layoffs by completing most of the reductions proposed by the departments with the allocation of one-time discretionary funds. A portion of those one-time discretionary funds included $ 24.6 million in settlement funds with PG&E, received in recognition of costs incurred by the County as a result of the 2017 wildfires. The County also benefited from federal stimulus funds and state, as well as revenue projections that had improved since June 10, when the Board approved a "base" budget. Waiting until September to adopt a final budget gave the Board time to assess the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I am grateful that we have managed to avoid the layoffs, which have been the source of so much anguish and stress for many of our diligent employees," said Board President Susan Gorin. "I am also pleased that this budget addresses some of the crises we have seen in recent years and helps us move forward in new and relevant ways."

This $ 1.9 billion budget is comprised primarily of state and federal funds designated for specific programs, which provide a variety of services for residents through the County's 25 different departments. While avoiding layoffs, the Board approved more than $ 10 million in reductions requiring the elimination of 34 positions, which are currently vacant.

At the same time, the Board agreed to assign:

• $ 20 million in funds reserved for COVID-19 response, including testing expansion
• $ 8.5 million in PG&E funds to replenish the County's reserve funds, which had been spent during the 2017 fires
• $ 5.5 million to expand the County Mobile Support Team (over a three-year period), to respond to mental health crisis calls
• $ 2.24 million reserved for an economic uncertainty fund
• $ 2 million to assist with the purchase of two hotels, the Hotel Azura in Santa Rosa and the Sebastopol Inn in Sebastopol, to be used for permanent supportive housing through the Governor's Project Homekey program.
• $ 1.4 million over the next two to three years to expand support for the Independent Law Enforcement Oversight Office, including the addition of two attorneys
• $ 920,000 for vegetation maintenance services and a possible future measure of fire revenue
• $ 384,000 for distribution of food and services for the elderly
• $ 355,000 to strengthen general support for services for people without

home and to the Sonoma County Leadership Council, which is the primary decision-making body in the Sonoma County homeless system of care

This week's budget hearings began with a presentation by local economist Robert Eyler, Professor of Economic Sciences at Sonoma State University, who predicted that the County will not begin to feel an economic recovery until 2023. The County also projects revenue growth nil in the months to come, resulting in an annual budget deficit of up to $ 25 million through 2025.

“This was a particularly difficult budget to formulate this year due to all the unknowns and the shifting parts surrounding the current health crisis and the economic realities we face,” said County Manager Sheryl Bratton. "I am proud of where we ended up and all the hard work of our staff."

While the County allocated $ 24.6 million in settlement funds with PG&E as part of the 2020-21 spending plan, on October 6 the Board of Supervisors will consider how to allocate the balance of the settlement sum of $ 149 million. Community members are encouraged to provide input on how the funds should be spent by emailing PGECommunityInput@sonoma-county.org suggestions or completing the survey online at <u> https: // </ u> www.surveymonkey.com/r/PGE_Español before September 14, 2020.

For more detailed information on the Sonoma County 2020-21 budget, visit

https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/CAO/Informes-Públicos/Informes-Presupuestarios/

This press release was produced by the Sonoma County Government . The views expressed are the author's own.