STOCKTON – The San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors Wednesday unanimously approved the a $1.78 billion budget for the fiscal year starting July 1.
It includes a $113 million increase from the previous year and provides necessary funding for Countywide programs and services including special districts. The Budget supports the Board’s strategic priorities including good governance, fiscal responsibility, law and justice, economic development, and water.
“The passage of the 2018-2019 Final Budget provides for the continued fiscal strength and growth of San Joaquin County and promotes an improved quality of life for local residents,” said San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors Chairman, Bob Elliott. “Some tough financial and policy decisions had to be made; however, thanks to our commitment to careful management of taxpayer dollars, we adopted a structurally balanced, fiscally responsible budget for the fifth year in a row.”
The 2018-2019 Final Budget supports San Joaquin County’s adopted strategic priorities, including:
uGOOD GOVERNANCE & FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY: The Final Budget, excluding special districts, is structurally-balanced where ongoing revenues can fund continuing operating costs. The Budget also invests in local resources that address new mandates and the Board of Supervisors’ highest priority areas. The Countywide good governance and fiscally responsible policy provides meaningful goals for reserves in the event of another economic downturn. With the addition of $5.7 million to the County’s Reserve for Contingencies, the Reserve for Contingencies is set at $87.3 million in 2018-2019.
uLAW & JUSTICE: The approved budget for Law and Justice totals $346.1 million, which is an increase of $19.9 million from 2017-2018. Overall, the budget includes a net increase of 27 positions for all Law and Justice budgets; 16 in the District Attorney’s budgets, 11 in the Probation budgets, 6 positions in the Sheriff’s budgets,
2 positions in the Public Defender’s budget, 7 positions in Correctional Health Services, the overall deletion of 11 positions in the Child Support Services budget, and the transfer of 4 positions due to the Alcohol-Drug Alternative Program budget being consolidated into the Substance Abuse Services budget within Health Care Services. It includes $2.7 million funded by the Local Community Corrections AB109, and $2.0 million in operating costs for the Office of the Medical Examiner.
uECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: In 2015-2016, a reserve for Economic Development was increased to support the County’s promotional/marketing efforts and economic development activities/programs, including incentives for businesses to relocate and/or expand in San Joaquin County. The balance as of April 30, 2018 is $582,656. For 2018-2019, the budget directs $102,158 of the Transient Occupancy Tax (Hotel/Motel Tax or TOT) to this reserve. This represents the amount of the projected TOT that has not been programmed in the Final Budget for economic development-related activities and programs.
• WATER: The Final Budget directs $730,000 toward the County’s continuing efforts to defeat the California WaterFix twin tunnels project including legal action, advocating for positions, responding to proposed legislation, building and participating in coalitions, communicating positions through media and other outreach avenues, and coordinating with various County water and Delta interests.
To review the approved budget or for additional budget highlights and details, please visit our website at:
www.sjgov.org/department/cao/county_budget.
