Tuolumne County Approves Budget

Sonora, CA — The Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors voted to approve a roughly $153-million budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1st.

It includes the addition of about 14 full-time equivalent positions. The bulk, 11, will help staff the Juvenile Detention Facility.

Some of the final budget items will be voted on in August when the county has better revenue projections. It was noted that future decisions will include whether to allocate money to help groups like the Tuolumne County Arts Alliance, Mother Lode Fair and Tuolumne County Museum.

One of the last minute additions approved today was money for a position to help with election coordinating. County Clerk and Auditor Controller Debi Bautista said her office is understaffed compared to other counties in the region. She also indicated that new California Secretary of State Alex Padilla is proposing notable changes that would impact local elections, and require staffing to implement. She said his ideas include mailing out ballots to all voters, and modernizing the precinct system.