El Dorado County supervisors approve adopted budget

PLACERVILLE, Calif. – The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors yesterday unanimously approved the Fiscal Year 2019-20 Adopted Budget to fund the County’s programs and services. State law requires Adopted Budgets to be approved by October 2nd, 2019.

The Board in June approved its $688 million Recommended Budget, $313 million of which is discretionary and largely funds public safety and general government services. It is expected the Adopted Budget will be slightly higher, but the exact figures won’t likely be available until November when the Auditor-Controller’s office concludes its review of the end-of-year numbers.

“The Adopted Budget includes recommendations that are fiscally responsible and consistent with prior Board actions and the need to address future financial commitments,” said Chief Administrative Officer, Don Ashton.

Those recommendations include directing $2 million to cover CalPERS increases that are anticipated in the coming two years; adding $183,000 to the contingency fund; increasing the designation for the Placerville Juvenile Hall by $222,000; continuing to set aside $5 million for future building and infrastructure needs; and increasing the Public Safety Facility reserve by approximately $1.4 million to increase the reserve to the full amount of $2.3 million as required by the County’s loan from the USDA.

“While efforts have been successfully applied so that budget growth in General Fund Departments has been constrained,” said Chair Sue Novasel, “it’s important to note that no department’s programs and services have been reduced or eliminated this fiscal year and equally important to note that future reduced revenues may require such cuts.”