Title
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MEMORANDUM
TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Carol J. Huchingson, County Administrative Officer
DATE: September 18, 2018
SUBJECT: 9:00 A.M. - PUBLIC HEARING - Consideration of the Final Recommended Budget for Fiscal Year 2018/2019 for the County of Lake and Special Districts Governed by the Board of Supervisors
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
I am pleased to present, for your consideration, the FY 2018-19 Final Recommended Budget. While the State's economic environment has improved from the time of the Great Recession, Lake County's is still severely challenged fiscally as a result of slow recovery from the recession and the unprecedented series of disasters including:
? Rocky Fire - 2015
? Jerusalem Fire - 2015
? Valley Fire - 2015
? Clayton Fire - 2016
? Winter Storm Event of 2017
? Sulphur Fire - 2017
? Pawnee Fire - 2018
? River Fire - 2018
? Ranch Fire - 2018
The County budget is also constrained by ten (10) years of stagnate revenue and the mandated increases in retirement contributions and minimum wage rates which will surpass entry level salaries and must be addressed. Consistent with recent budgets, the FY 2018-19 budget provides very little additional discretionary revenue to support new positions or new initiatives. In fact, General Fund appropriations reflect only a 3/10ths of 1% increase over the prior year. Consequently, the net County cost of General Fund budgets remains relatively unchanged from prior year(s). The cost of any new General Fund positions were, therefore, absorbed within previous year's funding levels.
While the near-term outlook may be appear bleak, the budget reflects focus on long-term solutions, addressing both budgetary and staffing requirements by investing in operational efficiencies and replenishing reserves. In order to strengthen revenue, the budget continues to emphasize the ongoing administration of the Master Fee Schedule and provides for continuation of the recently implemented grant-writing positon.
The bu...
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