Mid-Year Budget Report Approved

Sonora, CA — By a 4-1 vote this morning the mid-year Tuolumne County operating budget was approved by the supervisors this morning.

CAO Craig Pedro and Deputy CAO Daniel Richardson presented a complete review of revenue streams and expenses.

Pedro commented that expenses for all departments have been curtailed to the lowest level possible without sacrificing any additional positions or services to the community.

Pedro added the chief cause of having to allocate $717,000 from the contingency fund to maintain staff and services has been a reduction of federal, state and local revenues rather than excessive county expenses. With that reduction $237,000 remains in the contingency fund.

Pedro concluded his remarks by stating he and the Board should be pleased that such reductions were anticipated and the country responded in a proactive rather than a reactive mode.

Supervisor Teri Murrison was the lone dissenting vote. She stated that she would only vote in the affirmative if a senior analyst’s position was added to the CAO’s Office to present Craig Pedro with some much needed support.

Written by bill.johnson@mlode.com