Mariposa County’s proposed budget for the 2010-11 fiscal year is nearly a mirror image of the current year spending plan. County Administrative Officer Rick Benson released the proposal last week.

In spite of the “extremely troubling” economic conditions in California and the nation, Benson said Mariposa County’s budget will “allow for stability and delivery of services.” The proposed budget will not allow for any ambitious changes, but there are also no major personnel actions or layoffs.

“The recommended budget is structurally balanced, targeting available resources to fulfill the general goals of the County,” Benson said in his report to the board of supervisors.

The $82.4 million recommendation is 4.4 percent higher than last year’s adopted budget. However, Benson cautioned against the perception that the budget is growing. This year’s increase reflects increased state funding for roads projects. Without specific increases like this, the budget shows no growth.

Benson expects little change in the coming year, which is somewhat unusual given the drastic measures that other counties and municipalities have been forced to take to deal with budgetary shortfalls.

“The revenues needed by departments to protect public health and safety, provide quality health and human services, protect the environment, plan for growth, renew infrastructure, enhance quality of life and carry out other mandated and discretionary programs will remain relatively unchanged in fiscal year 2010- 11,” Benson wrote.

Mariposa County’s Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) reached an all-time high in June of this year, and Benson said it is the foundation of the County’s discretionary revenue. “We expect these revenues to continue to be reliable during the upcoming year,” Benson said. “We are projecting a modest increase, but we are not relying on a repeat of the 2009-10 results. There is simply too much uncertainty.”

The County expects only a slight decrease in property tax revenue in the coming fiscal year, as local real estate values remain relatively stable. “Continued revenue stability will enable the County to continue to fulfill the needs of the community,” Benson wrote.

There are some concerns about the budget, however. The overall economy and the state budget actions weigh heavily on the minds of County staff. There is also a large unfunded pension liability that looms. “We expect that our CalPERS obligation will have an even greater effect in the future,” Benson said.

There are also the challenges of costs that are beyond the control of the County like energy and defending indigents in the court system. Still, the state’s budgetary quagmire remains paramount. “The single greatest factor beyond our control are actions taken by the State of California,” Benson said.

“The 2010-11 recommended budget represents a very conservative spending plan,” Benson said. “It is fiscally prudent and structurally balanced.” The estimated revenues exceed anticipated expenses.

“Given the current economic conditions, this recommended budget only allows the County to maintain the status quo even though the County continues to face formidable infrastructure and service challenges,” Benson said, explaining that it allows for maintenance of reserves to weather future resource fluctuations.

The public will have the opportunity to comment on the budget during the hearings set for September. Benson concluded, “It is our opinion that the recommended budget not only meets the County’s legal obligations and responds to the needs of the County’s citizens, but also is both structurally sound and sustainable into the future.”

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