San Joaquin County’s proposed $3.3 billion budget for the fiscal year starting July 1 continues funding for public safety, healthcare, roads, parks, behavioral health services, and other core county programs.

The budget increased by about $258.7 million compared to last year, mainly because of higher labor costs, and continued investment in County services and infrastructure.

Most of the budget, about 78%, comes from departmental revenue such as State and Federal funding, hospital revenue, and fees for services. The remaining funding comes from local revenue sources such as taxes, and use of existing fund balances.

“This budget focuses on protecting the services residents rely on every day while planning responsibly for the future,” said San Joaquin County Administrator Sandy Regalo.

“Even with rising costs and economic uncertainty, the County continues to invest in public safety, behavioral health, infrastructure, and long-term financial stability.”

More than half of the County’s General Purpose Revenue supports public safety and justice services, including the Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney, Public Defender, Probation, and Correctional Health.

The budget includes funding for expansion of the Public Defender’s Felony Diversion Program, increased correctional health costs, improvements to the juvenile justice center, and construction of the sheriff’s training facility.

Health and Human Services remains the largest part of the County budget at about $2 billion.

The budget continues support for the SJ BeWell Campus behavioral health project, mental health and substance use treatment programs, San Joaquin General Hospital, emergency medical services, in home supportive services for seniors and vulnerable residents, as well as aging and veterans’ services programs.

The budget includes $161.6 million for Capital Projects including:

*Initial planning and design for the Hazelton Complex Facility Replacement to house the Public Works, Community Development, and Environmental Health Departments in a centralized location.

*Initial planning and design for a new Solid Waste Transfer Station.

*Planning for a new South County park near Tracy.

Emergency Medical Services facility replacement project.

The budget also includes significant investments for ongoing infrastructure improvements including flood control and groundwater sustainability efforts.

The budget is balanced, includes funding for existing labor agreements, uses cautious revenue estimates due to economic uncertainty, and includes “difficult” reductions and delayed requests in some departments to keep spending in line with available funding

“The purpose of government is to enable the people of a nation to live in safety and happiness,” Regalo wrote in her budget message, quoting former President Thomas Jefferson. “This budget reflects careful decisions that protect core services while preparing for the future.”

The Board of Supervisors is expected to consider adoption of the Final Budget at its June 16, meeting at a.m. Public comment is welcome.

To review the full Proposed Budget and additional budget information, visit the County website.