Amador County - Amador County officials are preparing for state raids on local government coffers after five of the state’s six budget-related propositions failed to pass in Tuesday’s Special Election. The projected state budget deficit now stands at $24 billion, while Amador County projects a $2.6 million budget deficit for the local county budget. In light of these results, Amador County continues to work on a 2009-2010 balanced budget. “With the results in, only one thing is clear: the state will have to find other ways to balance its budget,” said County Administrative Officer Terri Daly. County administrators continue to slash operating costs, including working with employees to find a 10 percent cut to overall personnel costs to close the gap. According to Charles Anderson, Regional Public Affairs Manager with the League of California Cities, the governor’s “May Budget Revise” would take funding from the cities’ property taxes to the tune of $2 billion dollars. Anderson said the state has taken about $600 million dollars a year – about $8 billion dollars total – from city property tax revenue, beginning in the 1990s. Anderson said the city of Jackson could lose $107,000 dollars if the governor’s proposal goes through. Amador County officials anticipate that the state may borrow as much as $1.5 million of the county’s property tax receipts. “For Amador County, there is no question that borrowing from our County will significantly affect our ability to provide the services our residents rely upon,” explained County Administrative Officer Terri Daly, adding: “Cuts and disruptions of local services will only become more severe.” Daly said that “in addition to the States borrowing of County property tax money, County officials also anticipate deferral of payments to the county from the state and drastic reduction in programs, including social services, public health and behavioral health.” Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Friday, 22 May 2009 01:02
Budget Woes Deepen
Amador County - Amador County officials are preparing for state raids on local government coffers after five of the state’s six budget-related propositions failed to pass in Tuesday’s Special Election. The projected state budget deficit now stands at $24 billion, while Amador County projects a $2.6 million budget deficit for the local county budget. In light of these results, Amador County continues to work on a 2009-2010 balanced budget. “With the results in, only one thing is clear: the state will have to find other ways to balance its budget,” said County Administrative Officer Terri Daly. County administrators continue to slash operating costs, including working with employees to find a 10 percent cut to overall personnel costs to close the gap. According to Charles Anderson, Regional Public Affairs Manager with the League of California Cities, the governor’s “May Budget Revise” would take funding from the cities’ property taxes to the tune of $2 billion dollars. Anderson said the state has taken about $600 million dollars a year – about $8 billion dollars total – from city property tax revenue, beginning in the 1990s. Anderson said the city of Jackson could lose $107,000 dollars if the governor’s proposal goes through. Amador County officials anticipate that the state may borrow as much as $1.5 million of the county’s property tax receipts. “For Amador County, there is no question that borrowing from our County will significantly affect our ability to provide the services our residents rely upon,” explained County Administrative Officer Terri Daly, adding: “Cuts and disruptions of local services will only become more severe.” Daly said that “in addition to the States borrowing of County property tax money, County officials also anticipate deferral of payments to the county from the state and drastic reduction in programs, including social services, public health and behavioral health.” Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
