County Finalizing Budget Details

The Tuolumne County Supervisors went over many of the fine details related to the 2013/14 budget this morning.

The final adopted budget will be around $144 million, up by about $9 million from the projected budget passed earlier this year. CAO Craig Pedro noted that the difference was primarily due to the Rim Fire and unexpected grant revenue. There are also unresolved labor negotiations. The county has had to spend around $1.45 million thus far related to the Rim Fire. $1.42 million has been covered by a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant. Some of the other remaining expenses may eventually be covered by state or federal programs.

Other unanticipated revenue includes the county receiving over $400K in SAFER FEMA funding to fully staff the Jamestown Fire station, and $555K in Secure Rural Schools funding.

Thanks to the state’s AB 109 program, the budget will include money for three additional jail staff members and one Probation Department employee. Money for the implementation of the Affordable Care Act will result in the hiring of three Social Services employees. A Mental Health Services Act grant will fund an additional part-time Behavioral Health employee.

It was noted that Transient Occupancy Tax Revenues are projected to be down at least $275K due to the Rim Fire and federal government shutdown. It will impact revenue paid to areas like the Visitor’s Bureau.

The Supervisors also decided today to give $4,500 to the Tuolumne County Historical Society/Museum, $45K to the Tuolumne County Arts Alliance, $7,500 to the Mother Lode Fair, and $20K for security cameras to battle loitering at Courthouse Park in Sonora.

The final budget details will continue to be worked out during the afternoon session of the Board of Supervisors. You can listen live in the multimedia section of myMotherLode.com.