$815 Million Placer County Budget Approved

Auburn, Calif.- The Placer County board of supervisors have approved a balanced 2016-17 budget that officials claim maintains long-term fiscal stability while ensuring that near-term needs are met. The board adopted a proposed budget in June and the $815.8 million final budget approved includes adjustments from the end of the fiscal year. 

The budget is balanced conservatively as property taxes, the county’s largest revenue source, continues to increase. In addition, sales taxes, transient occupancy taxes charges on lodging and other revenue sources tied to the economy continue to improve.

“Regarding the tree mortality dollars: I’m delighted that we were able to identify three-quarters of a million dollars for a state match grant,” said Supervisor Jennifer Montgomery, “I think this is going to become a much larger issue in the very near future and we will be having future conversations on how we’re going to identify additional dollars.”

In keeping with board-identified challenges and choices, one-time budgeting adjustments for several critical areas were delayed until now, to ensure a clear picture of the final balances at the end of the fiscal year.

Included in the final budget

• Capital facilities financing for capital project planning;
• Funds to help achieve conservation goals;
• Funding to implement the Criminal Justice Master Plan;
• Funding to support planning and actions related to the tree mortality crisis;
• Matching funds to support building an acute mental health unit at the county jail; and
• Funding to aide in the fight against homelessness throughout Placer County.

Despite some increases in ongoing and one-time expenditures, the 2016-17 budget is $922,694 less than the previous year, representing less than a 1 percent difference. The decrease is due in part to major capital projects winding down, including the Regional Sewer and the Kings Beach Commercial Core Improvement Project.

Funding for the budget comes from general fund revenues, reserves and prior year carryover balances. As a service provider, the county’s largest expenditure is the personnel costs of $315.3 million, which represents 38.6 percent of the total budget.

The board will receive a mid-year review of the county finances in early 2017 and recommend any needed adjustments to further board priorities.