At least two members of the Mariposa County Board of Supervisors did not mince words when they addressed the County’s proposed budget for the coming fiscal year. Chairman Kevin Cann and District 5 Supervisor Jim Allen expressed their unhappiness with the fact that the County faces a $1 million shortfall from what it expected just weeks ago.

The problem came to light last week when County Administrative Officer Rick Benson was forced to retract information about his proposed budget because the ending fund balance provided to him by Auditor Chris Ebie was about $1 million less than anticipated.

On Tuesday, Benson told the board that he is charged with bringing it a balanced recommended budget. “That’s what I thought I brought to your board a couple weeks ago,” he said. A “delay” in getting the actual ending fund balance created the discrepancy.

Benson said the ending fund balance is something that is “very difficult” for the auditor to compile. The fund balance is really just the amount of money left over from the previous budget year. This year, the fund balance dropped more than in any year ever.

“The $1 million difference is substantial,” Benson told board members. He said the problem is timing. “Had we gotten the number sooner, you would have been presented with a $2.1 million balance.” Benson ex- plained that regardless of the timing, the balance is what it is. “Nothing has changed,” he said of the county’s bottom line.

Benson presented the board with a host of options for potential cuts to balance the budget. They ranged from across the board cuts, to department specific reductions, to furloughs and layoffs. Other options included discontinuing non-mandated services like parks and recreation and the library. “These are things that make life better,” he said. “I’m not saying its a good idea or bad idea. I’m just saying they’re options.”

One of the options was a 20- day furlough for all County workers. That would mean a 7.7 percent pay cut. “I’m not advocating this,” he told the board.

The potential for layoffs was presented, too. Benson said it would take the reduction of about 60 workers to bridge the gap. “Although its very unpleasant to think about, it needs to be on the radar,” Benson said of layoffs in the future. “If funds are reduced, we need to look at reducing our organization. With fewer resources, we need to be a smaller organization.”

The County could also dip into reserves or borrow from the money set aside to pay the unfunded retirement liability. Either of these options, Benson said, just delay the inevitable. Revising revenue estimates upward is also a possibility.

Benson met with all department heads last week to come up with solutions. “Based on their input, I think they will find probably $300,000.” With Benson’s proposed cuts that amount to about $615,000, that still leaves the County short by $100,000.

He proposed two countywide furlough days in April and June to make up the difference. “That would take care of the final part of the puzzle,” Benson said, noting that there are no holidays in April and June, and that it gives the County enough time to rescind the potential furloughs if possible.

Benson concluded his report with a combination of reduction options that get the County to its goal. Board members took their turns weighing in.

“To say I’m upset is probably an understatement,” Allen said. “We told our employees

we’re okay,’ then we talk furloughs,” he said. “We can’t do that to our most valuable assets.”

Allen said he is tired of the back and forth at budget time. “I hate the roller coaster ride,” he said. “How can it happen year after year? It’s got to stop, and it’s got to stop now.” Allen said the real work on this issue needs to take place when budget hearings begin next week. “The bottom line is I do not agree with furloughs,” he said.

Cann was equally disturbed. “I have a lot of trouble discussing how unacceptable this situation is,” he said. “There’s some structural imbalance there,” he said of the budget process and its timing. “To be 60 days after the end of the year with wild variances” has to change, Cann said. “I want to gain real confidence in what the real fund balance is. I know you are all somewhat comfortable with this system. I am not.”

Ebie defended his numbers, calling the fund balance “more accurate than its ever been.” He said the County has been living off its fund balance for years. “Your expenditures have been more than your revenue,” Ebie said to the board. “You’re asking to spend more. You can’t do that for very long. It’s hitting this year. You can’t keep spending more than you’re taking in. That’s what’s happening.”

Ebie cautioned against adjusting revenue projections up too much even though transient occupancy tax has been steadily increasing. “If you budget revenue that doesn’t exist, it will hit you hard right in the face.”

The board will begin public hearings on the budget on Sept. 14. They are expected to continue throughout next week.

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