County Supervisors approve balanced budget of almost $549 million

Supervisors have approved a balanced budget for El Dorado County for the fiscal year 2016-17, one totaling $548.92 million.

Investments will be made in infrastructure and public safety, two focuses identified in the County's strategic plan as well as providing for funds to be set aside in reserves for emergencies and deferred maintenance for aging county buildings.

The following are examples of strategic plan investments made in the fiscal year 2016-17 budget:

 $3.075 million for initial costs towards the Sheriff’s Department new Public Safety Facility

 $2 million additional funds for road maintenance and improvements, increasing the road maintenance and operations budget to $18.9 million

 $1.2 million set aside for County costs for a new Juvenile Hall facility for the West Slope, matching a $9.6 million State grant

 $753,000 for improvements to the Spring Street facility in Placerville where many senior programs are located

 $535,000 for a new property tax system

 $250,000 as a grant match with the State of California to fight the tree mortality problem

 $195,000 to the District Attorney to continue programs that help to keep the public safe from impaired drivers

'While challenges still remain, this budget invests in goals set forth by the Board of Supervisors in the County Strategic Plan," said Creighton Avila, the County's Principal Administrative Analyst. "The budget does more than ensure that appropriations are within revenues, it provides a stable foundation that will help the County to continue to achieve ‘The Gold Standard in Public Service.’"