Emphasizing fiscal responsibility while sustaining critical services, facilities and future growth
Auburn, Calif. – The Placer County Board of Supervisors recently approved a balanced, approximately $1.5 billion preliminary budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27, emphasizing fiscal responsibility while sustaining critical services, facilities and future growth. The balanced budget reflects an 11.6% increase from the prior year to meet the county's growing service demands, particularly in west Placer.
The budget advances the county's strategic priorities and its "Getting Growth Right" initiatives, which guide investments ranging from public safety to health and human services, infrastructure and economic development.
Nearly half the total budget is dedicated to public protection and health and human services, helping ensure safe, healthy communities throughout Placer County. The plan keeps the county financially prepared for the future, continuing to grow and adapt to meet the needs of its residents. County staff will return to the Board on June 30 to seek final approval of the budget.
"This is a balanced budget that reflects careful planning and a clear commitment to the people we serve," said Placer County Board Chair and District 2 Supervisor Shanti Landon. "It positions Placer County to meet today's needs and the demands of a growing region, and I commend our staff and community partners for the work behind it. I'm particularly proud of how our team has worked to make this budget transparent and accessible to residents, so they understand how we're investing in their future."
"This budget keeps Placer County prepared for the future. As our communities continue to grow, we are growing with them," said Placer County Executive Officer Daniel Chatigny. "Investing in the services, infrastructure and people our residents depend on while planning responsibly for the years ahead."
Key budget highlights:
Revenue
Total budgeted revenues are forecasted at approximately $1.40 billion, a 9.3% increase over the prior year. Property taxes, the county's largest discretionary revenue source, are projected to increase by nearly $15 million, or 5.3% over the prior year adopted budget. Sales taxes are estimated at $37.2 million, up .7% and estimated hotel taxes are holding flat, at $29.7 million.
Expenditures
Total budgeted expenditures are forecasted at $1.47 billion, a 11.2% increase over the prior year. Budgeted expenditures include a net increase of $25.5 million in one-time transfers for major capital facilities and infrastructure projects in the County's General Fund. The General Fund expenditure budget totals $505.5 million, an increase of $49.2 million or 11.5% over the last fiscal year, driven largely by rising labor costs and strategic transfers to sustain operations in other funds and for the one-time transfers to major facilities and infrastructure projects. The budget funds 2,978 positions countywide, a net increase of 40, to enhance service levels and keep pace with population growth.
Infrastructure and facilities
The budget provides $187.9 million for capital improvements, including Phase 1 of Placer Parkway, the Yankee Jim's Bridge replacement, the Watt Avenue at Dry Creek bridge, the Auburn Library modernization project and the Hidden Falls Regional Park expansion.
Approximately 78% of the capital improvements budget is allocated to the Road Fund for road, bridge and overlay projects.
Retirement obligations
The budget fully funds the required contributions to the county's long-term obligations, including $120.7 million for pensions and $7.0 million for other post-employment benefits in the County's governmental fund budgets.
Fiscal stability
Placer County maintains a strong commitment to fiscal stability through its reserve policy, essential for managing economic uncertainty and unanticipated needs. Consistent with the Budget and Financial Policy updated in May 2025, the budget continues to strengthen reserves – setting aside an additional $8.6 million in the general reserve, $5.8 million for fire mitigation efforts and $9.9 million in pension obligation pre-funding in the County's General Fund. $31.1 million is designated to reserves in other governmental funds – primarily to provide funding for future capital and infrastructure projects, equipment replacements, forest health projects, to support fire services and funding for open space acquisitions.
The budget also includes $56.5 million to fund special districts and county service area zones governed by the Board of Supervisors, including lighting and landscape districts, benefit assessment districts, permanent road divisions and sewer maintenance districts. In addition, the county's proprietary budgets total $207.0 million, accounting for internal services such as facility maintenance, fleet and information technology.
"We are fortunate to be in a financial position that lets us strengthen our reserves and invest in the future while many cities and counties are forced to make cuts," said Placer County District 1 Supervisor Bonnie Gore. "That stability is what allows Placer County to provide needed services for our residents."
The Board also reaffirmed its commitment to housing affordability, a challenge affecting communities throughout California. Several supervisors voiced support for continuing the county's work in this area, and the Board directed staff to return in early FY 2026-27 with a budget amendment dedicating funding to affordable housing and expanding options for Placer County residents.
The budget development process is a year-long effort that begins in July and ends in June, in keeping with the fiscal year calendar.