When Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger unveiled his 2010-11 budget proposal last week, Mariposa County officials were not scrambling to hash out the details. They know what the governor proposed in January will likely not look at all like a final budget document in the summer.

Still, there are some changes that could affect Mariposa County and its residents if they make it through the budget process. Among other things, the governor has proposed drastic cuts to corrections and rehabilitation, transportation and health and human services.

Mariposa County Sheriff Brian Muller isn’t worried, but realizes the changes could make a difference for his department. If passed, the reductions in state prison funding will impact the cost of the local jail, the sheriff said. “A significant number of inmates will end up staying locally,” he said. “It’s going to mean an increased cost at the jail.”

The sheriff said the $500,000 his department gets annually from a rural law enforcement grant is on the chopping block, but he has planned for that scenario during the past several budget seasons. “It won’t have a direct impact,” Muller said of the possible reduction. We’ll be okay for 2010-11.” If it extends beyond that, however, the sheriff said “We could have some problems.”

Mariposa County’s law enforcement concerns are far less than other counties. Rural counties all over California are struggling. Sierra County has had to eliminate some night hours for patrol. Alpine County has laid off two dispatchers and has contracted night and weekend dispatching services to Douglas County, Nev.

The ongoing budget problems don’t just affect law enforcement. Modoc County is reported to be near bankruptcy, and small counties are leaving their potholes unfilled.

Mariposa County Administrative Officer Rick Benson said the governor’s proposal really is “a lot of smoke and mirrors” at this point that create problems in developing a budget plan. “It’s this whole level of uncertainty,” Benson said. “How do you plan when you don’t know if you have any money?”

Still, Benson knows that Mariposa County is a lot better off than other jurisdictions, even with the potential loss of funding for social services and roads.

If the governor’s cut to transportation takes force, Benson said it “will hit us directly” in terms of road maintenance. “It’s a critical issue here in Mariposa,” the CAO said. “Hundreds of thousands of dollars are at risk for Mariposa. It would have a significant effect on Mariposa County’s ability to maintain roads.”

The other concern Benson has is the possible cuts to social services. “That would hit us,” he said. The governor has proposed the outright elimination of CalWorks, In Home Supportive Services (IHSS), and Healthy Families. “That would be very drastic,” Benson said.

Benson and other government officials are waiting before becoming too worried. “What’s being proposed today and what will actually happen are two different things,” he said.