Politics & Government

Supervisors Begin Hearings on 2011-12 Budget

Proposed cuts include health services, probation and District Attorney's office

Sonoma County's Board of Supervisors began hearings this morning on the $1.2 billion 2011-12 budget. The $379.3 million general fund budget for public safety and other county services faces a $42.8 million deficit.

County Administrator Veronica Ferguson has recommended adjustments to 16 individual budgets that increase appropriations by $3.8 million.

Among those adjustments is the restoration of the sheriff's office's $375,000 bomb squad unit. The County Administrator's Office has recommended $12.4 million in reductions to the sheriff's office's budget, including $1.8 million for the Henry-1 helicopter program.

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Other recommended cuts to the criminal justice system's budget include $2.4 million from the district attorney's office, $5.3 million from the probation department, and $1.5 million from the public defender's office.

Ferguson has recommended $6.9 million in cuts to the health and human services departments, $10.3 million to administration and fiscal services and $4 million to development services that include regional parks, transportation and public works and other departments.

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The recommended reductions total $42.8 million, but a proposed supplemental budget could restore or partially restore some of the most difficult reductions to those departments that total $12 million.

Ferguson said the county's financial picture would not be known for certain until the funding it receives from state and federal governments is known. The budget hearings will continue through June 24 if necessary.


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