Sharing Information | Encouraging Engagement
This special meeting of the board was dedicated to the review/approval of this fiscal year’s budget.
Here are the notes I took regarding the meeting. Please understand that this is not a comprehensive documentation of discussions and decisions.
COUNTY MATTERS
These items include non-routine, or controversial matters and are listed alphabetically by department. A member of the Board or Staff may request that an item be heard out of order.
County Administrative Office
1.1 Adopt a resolution which adopts the final budget for fiscal year 23/24. $151,444,249
- CAO Tuthill introduced the subject with highlights regarding small changes made at the Board’s direction during our last meeting.
- We reduced the shortfall for the Animal Shelter to less than $10,000.
- Indicated that this should be sufficient funding to keep the shelter open for the duration of the year
Questions from Board
- What is the total funding for the Animal Shelter this year vs. last year?
- Last Year – $315,876 actual
- This Year – $369,000 + adjustments made since our meeting on Tuesday.
- The total amount budgeted for this year is $50,000 more than last year’s actuals.
- What is the total amount funded by Discretionary General Funds for the Sheriff’s Department this year vs. last year?
- Last Year – $6,612,381
- This Year Requested – $7,943,298
- This Year Funded – $6,583,173
- How many other departments requested headcount that was not approved?
- 8
- How many positions were not funded in these other departments?
- 8.15
- What is the difference in the number of positions funded this year via last year for the Sheriff’s Department and Animal Shelter?
- Last Year Funded – 54.5
- Last Year’s Average Filled – 47.8
- This Year Funded – 47.8.
- This will increase to 48.5 with planned budget adjustment addressing Animal Shelter
- This year’s number matches the average staffing level for last year and the end-of-year staffing level for last year.
- Actual funding for salaries for this year is similar to actual expenses for last year.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
- Shared that she had confirmed with the Sheriff that sufficient funding is now available to keep the shelter open all year.
- Shared that TASA provides significant funding and volunteer support to the shelter.
- Thanked Health & Human Services for their financial support of the shelter… and for the board and staff for working together to find the funds necessary to keep the shelter open
- Appreciation was shared for our financial staff and for the board and staff’s work to find funds to keep the shelter open.
- Shared concern about the “massive stray pet population” in Trinity County. Offered that our stray animal problem is a human-caused problem… so we need to be a part of the solution.
- Shared that she has adopted 4 animals and helped place others. Shared that there is a need for a larger shelter.
- Shared concern that our consultant has “given up” on recommending ways to increase revenues. Shared support for the approach of taking a more strategic approach to finding ways to increase revenues and create efficiencies. Noted that a 2% increase in property taxes would generate $600,000 to help the Library, Animal Shelter, and more.
- Shared concerns about additional requirements placed on cannabis-related businesses.
- Shared that our Shelter is understaffed and not large enough to effectively address our current problems with stray animals.
- Requested a document that helps explain how funds move through the Sheriff’s Department to the Animal Shelter, etc.
- Statement that homeschooled children will appreciate efforts to keep the Library open… and encouraged the board to keep it open
- Shared concerns about statements made in a previous meeting about plans to close the Shelter. Noted that, while we make every effort to not euthanize animals, our shelter is not a “no-kill” shelter.
- Shared view that volunteer fire departments should be funded like we fund the Sheriff’s department
- Shared that historical county efforts have limited revenue from the cannabis industry that could help with these problems
- Shared appreciation for efforts that led to Shelter being funded throughout the year.
- Suggestion for the board to make another attempt for increased sales tax.
- Shared concern that backup material did not include case law supporting our approach of funding code enforcement through cannabis program revenues.
The board approved the budget as presented – with the understanding that an upcoming agenda will include an item to add the funding discussed today regarding the Animal Shelter.
Sharing Information | Encouraging Engagement
Please use this form to let me know if you would like to be added to the distribution list for updates. Check the box next to the type of updates you would like to receive.
Recent Comments