COLUSA COUNTY, CA (MPG) – The Colusa County Board of Supervisors last week adopted a $154 million 2023-24 budget that, after a year of struggles, is balanced.
The one-year spending plan will meet increases in the cost of doing business and an increase in staffing, officials said.
“Last year, we struggled,” said Chief Administrative Officer Wendy Tyler. “But this year, I have to say that you can be assured that your department heads are incredibly good stewards of the taxpayers’ dollars.”
Although the budget reflects a $16 million increase over last year, the increase is largely increased funding for the new jail project, which is expected to get underway during this fiscal year, Tyler said.
“Of course, we also have increased election costs as elections will be taking place.” The budget, which funds approximately 425 full time employees, also reflects an 8% increase in their salaries and benefits, which comprise 34% of the total budget. Tyler said the increase over last
year is attributed to the cost of health insurance, salary increases, and retirement costs.
Colusa County Health and Human Services, particularly the Behavior Health Department saw the largest growth, as the state moved to expand mental health and safety net programs.
The county added 10 new positions, eight of which are in the Behavior Health Department. There were also conversions of three part-time positions in HHS to full time, Tyler said. Other departments, such as the Clerk-Recorder’s office, tightened its staff.
The county also used $1.2 million from its American Rescue Plan Act funding to cover its $1.3 million participation obligation in the Sites Reservoir Project this year. The county will also make a $7 million payment against its $62 million unfunded pension liability.
On the revenue side, taxes, licenses, and state and federal funds are the highest contributor to the budget.
The General Fund component of this budget is roughly $46 million. While sales and use taxes are up, most revenues are relatively static, Tyler said.
Board Chairman Kent Boes, who sat on the budget committee with Supervisor Gary Evans, thanked the county staff for managing to get the county through a difficult two years, when officials projected doom and gloom after suffering a permanent $1.7 million reduction in revenue, due to a reconfiguration of the PG&E unitary taxes, which were spread around to special districts in the county formed before 1979.
Still, county officials said they have learned to make do with what they have without drastically decreasing services to the public.
“The budget was a lot less dire than we thought it would be,” Boes said. H
County Adopts Balanced Budget
