Placer County Supervisors Unanimous in Vote
AUBURN, Calif. — The Placer County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve a draft, balanced budget of $939.6 million for the next fiscal year – $73.4 million more than last year’s final budget of $866.2 million.
The budget protects core operations, services and programs, continues to fund capital infrastructure projects prioritized by the Board of Supervisors and maintains reserves to guard against harder economic times.
The county’s fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30. The proposed budget will serve as the interim spending plan when the new fiscal year begins July 1. The board is scheduled to adopt a final budget with updated revenue and expenditure figures in September.
In a presentation to the board, Placer County Deputy County Executive Officer Kate Sampson highlighted several indicators of the healthy economy currently enjoyed in the county, including improved property values that generate growth in property taxes.
Despite healthy revenue increases, escalating costs and emerging needs underscore the importance of fiscal prudence. Cost drivers like CalPERS retirement and healthcare obligations have increased by $7.1 million when compared to the fiscal year 2017-2018 final budget.
“The proposed 2018-19 spending plan is balancing continuing improvement in our economy with a need to be fiscally sustainable moving forward,” Sampson said.
The 2018-19 proposed budget:
Furthers the countywide response to affordable housing efforts, including the county’s first-ever housing work plan, a comprehensive plan to address the growing lack of affordable and workforce housing in all our communities.
Addresses long-term financial obligations by fully funding annual required contributions for both CalPERS pension liabilities as well as retiree health benefits. As expenses for employee retirement benefits are expected to sharply increase in the near future, the county is taking measures to pay down retiree healthcare and pension liabilities.
Improves county facilities with a first-time, five-year capital improvement plan that continues the county’s legacy of maintaining and improving its building stock to provide service to existing and future residents, and includes funding for new facilities, rehabilitation and renovation of existing buildings.
Continues the implementation of the Criminal Justice Master Plan, helping to expand the South Placer Adult Correctional Facility campus by building an acute mental health annex and a medium-security educational and vocational center. It also funds construction of a new coroner’s facility.
Advances environmental sustainability, setting aside $1.4 million to finalize the Placer County Conservation Plan, a progressive and proactive strategy for identifying where development should preferably occur while preserving important natural and agricultural resources.
Maintains and rehabilitates county roadways with an infusion of $7.2 million of California Senate Bill 1 funds, otherwise known as the ‘gas tax.’ Plans include roadway overlays and chip seals, bridge and culvert rehabilitation, and a one-time purchase of $614,000 in road construction equipment.
Focuses on development of several key initiatives such as the proposed Sunset Area Plan, Placer Parkway, Placer County Government Center Master Plan update and adopted Tahoe Basin Area Plan. Each of these major planning efforts helps Placer County achieve economic development goals to preserve and increase Placer County’s consistently top-ranked quality of life.
Helps ensure all nine Placer County Libraries, plus a bookmobile, remain open at current service levels with $2.2 million in support from the general fund.
Sustains county fire services with a one-time general fund contribution of $517,000.
(21+ years strong)
Welcome to the brighter side!