Supes tackle $1.3 billion county budget in hearings next week Supes tackle $1.3 billion county budget in hearings next week (June 23, 2004)

** Safety net is mostly saved as county draws down reserves.

By Marion Softky
Almanac Staff Writer

Barring new budget surprises from the state, San Mateo County expects to fund most services to the poor, sick, and weak, at or near current levels, by dipping into reserves built up for the rainy days that have arrived.

The proposed county budget of $1.29 billion also protects public safety, and results in only one layoff, said County Manager John Maltbie in presenting proposed budgets for fiscal years 2004-05 and 2005-06. "This budget funds children's services, including startup costs for a new Youth Services Center, and protects safety net services for the most vulnerable in our community," he said.

The Board of Supervisors will hold marathon hearings on the budget next week, starting Monday, June 28, at 9 a.m., and concluding Wednesday afternoon, June 30. Final hearings will be held September 28 and 29, after the state budget is in place.

The proposed budget, up 1.4 percent from last year, will still show a shortfall of $56.3 million. County departments have reduced spending by $19.5 million. Sixty-eight positions have been eliminated -- most are vacant due to the hiring freeze -- reducing the county workforce to 5,234. Some planning, building, and park fees have been raised a second year.

Nevertheless, the county will dip into general fund reserves by $23.4 million to balance its budget. This is the fourth straight year the county has used reserves, Mr. Maltbie said.

Even if tax revenues continue to rise, and the state takes away no more funds, the county will continue to use reserves over the next three years to balance its budget without layoffs. Mr. Maltbie estimated that county reserves will drop from $120.8 million today, to $67.6 million in fiscal year 2006-07.

Supervisor Rich Gordon said he sensed that people are somewhat resigned to cuts, and relieved that the budget is not worse than it is. "It is better than we thought, but it is still bad," he said. "The public understands we don't have the money."

Supervisor Rose Jacobs Gibson noted that more people depend on county services at the same time the dollars for them are decreasing. "We provide services for the most vulnerable people. These services exist because they are needed," she said. "We're trying to do more with less."

Budget hits

People will feel the cuts in many ways if the budget is adopted as proposed. Here are some possible changes:

** Edgewood Park and three other county parks will be closed Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays to make up for elimination of four ranger positions. Park staff has decreased from 62 to 51 positions over the last five years.

** A variety of substance abuse, mental health, and AIDS programs will have fewer inpatient beds, more outpatient visits, and, presumably, longer waits.

** Sheriff's resource officers may no longer give drug and counseling services at Woodside High School, Portola Valley schools, and elsewhere, said Supervisor Gordon. Closing a unit at Camp Glenwood by the Probation Department will put additional pressure on Juvenile Hall and send more kids to the California Youth Authority, he warned. And the governor's proposed budget may short the Probation Department by up to $4 million for juvenile crime-prevention programs.

** Nonprofit agencies such as the YMCA and Youth and Family Enrichment Services, which provide key services to youth and people in need under contract to the county, will also face cutbacks in county support. They are already hurting from a decline in individual and foundation donations, Mr. Gordon said.

Boosting revenue

Mr. Maltbie suggested two ways of boosting revenue:

** A local tax on off-site sale of liquor and beer to fund substance- abuse programs. This would have to be approved by voters.

** A fee for 911 services applied on telephone bills could help make up for loss of money to programs in the sheriff's and probation departments.

In addition Sen. Byron Sher has introduced a bill that would allow county voters to create a park district that could raise money for city and county parks suffering from budget cutbacks.

Basically, services will continue to be cut until the public is ready to pay for maintaining them, Mr. Gordon said.

"It's kind of a simple thing. You can't buy stuff unless you are willing to go shopping," he said. "Local government will continue to have fewer services until the public says, we want something more, and we're willing to pay for it."

Budget hearings: dates times

Hearings on San Mateo County's proposed $1.29 billion budget will take place from Monday, June 28, through Wednesday, June 30, in the Board of Supervisors Chambers, 400 County Center (corner of Hamilton Avenue and Bradford Street) in Redwood City. Hearing times for key items are:

** Monday, June 28 , 9 a.m. Opening remarks by County Manager John Maltbie. 9:30 a.m. , Health Services Agency; San Mateo Medical Center. 1:30 p.m. , First 5 San Mateo County (information only); Child Support Services; Human Services Agency.

** Tuesday, June 29 , 9:30 a.m. , Sheriff's Office/Office of Emergency Services; et al. 10 a.m. , Coroner; District Attorney; Courts; Probation Department, et al. 1:30 p.m. , Employee and Public Services; Assessor-Clerk-Recorder; Controller; Treasurer-Tax Collector; County Counsel; et al.

** Wednesday, June 30 , 9 a.m. , Environmental Services Agency. 9:30 a.m. , Information Services, Public Works, et al. 1:30 p.m. , Wrap-Up, and adoption of resolution approving recommended budget.

For more budget information, check www.co.sanmateo.ca.us.

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