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>> GOOD MORNING, AND WELCOME TO THE SEPTEMBER 23RD,
[CALL TO ORDER]
2025 MEETING OF THE MERCED COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.>> YOUR CLOSED SESSION THIS MORNING IS MEET AND CONFER AGENCY NEGOTIATOR MARCY PEREIRA.
[CLOSED SESSION]
THE PUBLIC WILL BE PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT ON ANY MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED IN CLOSED SESSION PRIOR TO THE BOARD ADJOURNING INTO THE CLOSED SESSION.TESTIMONY IS LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES PER PERSON.
>> AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR THE CLOSED SESSION ITEMS. THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR THE CLOSED SESSION ITEMS IS NOW CLOSED.
WE WILL NOW ADJOURN INTO CLOSED SESSION.
>> GOOD MORNING. WELCOME BACK TO THE SEPTEMBER 23RD,
[10:00 A.M. REGULAR MEETING]
2025 MEETING OF THE MERCED COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.THIS MORNING, WE HAD A CLOSED SESSION MEETING AND STAFF WAS GIVEN DIRECTION.
WE WILL NOW START WITH THE INVOCATION LED BY STACY COOLEY, AND THEN SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA WILL LEAD THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
>> PLEASE BOW YOUR HEADS AND YOUR HEARTS WITH ME THIS MORNING.
DEAR GRACIOUS, HEAVENLY FATHER, WE COME BEFORE YOU HUMBLY TO ASK YOU TO WALK ALONGSIDE US TODAY AND WHATEVER TODAY MAY BRING.
WE KNOW THAT NOTHING WILL COME AS A SURPRISE TO YOU, SO I PRAY THAT YOU WILL PREPARE OUR HEARTS FOR EVERY DECISION BIG OR SMALL THAT MAY BE REQUIRED TODAY.
PLEASE GIVE US THE GRACE TO RESPOND IN LOVING KINDNESS, AND WITH WISDOM, NOT REACTION.
I LIFT UP OUR SUPERVISORS, COUNTY COUNCIL, CEO, AND OUR ENTIRE COUNTY TEAM, AND PRAY PROTECTION, BLESSINGS, AND PROVISION OVER EACH OF THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES.
MAY THEY SEEK TO HONOR YOU WITH EVERY ASPECT OF THEIR LIVES AND ALWAYS DESIRE TO GIVE YOU THE GLORY.
I ASK THAT YOU GIVE THIS BOARD WISDOM FOR ALL THE ITEMS THEY ARE CONSIDERING TODAY AND PROVIDE PEACE IN THE RIGHT DECISIONS.
LEAD THEM WHEN THE CHOICES ARE DIFFICULT, AND I ASK THAT YOU REWARD THEM FOR THEIR DEDICATION AND DILIGENCE TO YOUR GOOD WORK.
I PRAY A SPECIAL BLESSING OVER OUR BUDGET TEAM TODAY AS THEY PRESENT THE BUDGET.
I JUST ASK FOR YOUR BLESSINGS OVER THEM.
FATHER, I BELIEVE YOU'VE PLACED THIS BOARD IN THEIR POSITIONS FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS.
YOU KNEW WHAT THEY WOULD ENCOUNTER, WHAT TIMES THEY'D WALK THROUGH, AND WHO WOULD BE NEEDED TO LEAD DURING THESE DAYS.
I ASK THAT AS YOU HAVE PLACED YOUR MANTLE ON THEM, THAT THEY WOULD RISE TO MEET THE AUTHORITY THAT YOU HAVE GRANTED TO THEM.
WHILE WE KNOW THAT YOU HAVE CALLED THEM, YOU HAVE ALSO PROMISED THAT THEY WOULDN'T HAVE TO DO IT ALONE.
YOUR WORD SAYS IN ISAIAH 41:10.
DO NOT FEAR FOR I AM WITH YOU.
DO NOT BE DISMAYED FOR I AM YOUR GOD.
I WILL STRENGTHEN YOU AND HELP YOU.
I WILL UPHOLD YOU WITH MY RIGHTEOUS RIGHT HAND.
ROMANS 8:28, YOUR PROMISE SAYS, WE KNOW THAT IN ALL THINGS, GOD WORKS TOGETHER FOR THE GOOD TO THOSE WHO LOVE HIM AND WHO HAVE BEEN CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE.
BLESS THEM AS THEY COME, AND AS THEY GO, PLEASE GRANT THEM HEALTH AND PEACE, PROTECT THEM AGAINST ANY DISTRACTIONS OR TACTIC OF THE ENEMY TO DISCOURAGE THEM.
IN ZEPHANIAH, YOU SAY THAT YOU ARE WITH US, THAT YOU TAKE GREAT DELIGHT IN US, AND THAT YOU WILL REJOICE OVER US WITH SINGING.
MAY WE HOLD ON TO THE THOUGHT THAT THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE LOVES US SO MUCH THAT IT MAKES HIM SING.
THANK YOU FOR ALL THESE THINGS AND FOR WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO IN AND THROUGH OUR BOARD TODAY.
WE GIVE YOU THIS DAY, AND WE ASK THAT YOU USE THEIR HANDS, THEIR FEET, AND THEIR VOICES TO MAKE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE.
IN JESUS PRECIOUS AND HOLY NAME, WE PRAY. AMEN.
[PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK]
PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON ANY MATTER OF PUBLIC INTEREST WITHIN THE BOARD'S JURISDICTION, EXCLUDING ITEMS ON THE BOARD'S AGENDA.TESTIMONY IS LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES PER PERSON AND 30 MINUTES TOTAL.
>> AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT.
AGAIN, THIS IS FOR NON-AGENDA ITEMS ONLY.
>> GOOD MORNING. I'M JOYCE MATTIS.
I'M PRESIDENT CURRENTLY OF THE MERCED COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
I'M HERE TO THANK YOU FIRST FOR YOUR ONGOING SUPPORT OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND THE OLD COURTHOUSE MUSEUM.
ESPECIALLY THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN US FOR THE RENOVATION OF THE EXTERIOR OF THE OLD COURTHOUSE, WHICH IS NEARING COMPLETION.
WITHOUT SUPPORT LIKE YOURS AND THAT OF OTHERS, WE COULD NOT HAVE UNDERTAKEN SUCH A PROJECT TO PRESERVE AND BEAUTIFY THIS MAJESTIC BUILDING.
THE COURTHOUSE MUSEUM HAS HISTORICALLY BEEN A CORNERSTONE OF JUSTICE FOR OUR COUNTY AND IS NOW A BEACON
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OF DEMOCRACY AND A CENTER OF LEARNING WITH EXHIBITS THAT HIGHLIGHT THE HISTORY AND CULTURE OF THIS COUNTY.YOUR SUPPORT HAS BEEN ONGOING AND CRUCIAL TO SUSTAINING THIS IMPORTANT SITE OF MERCED COUNTY HISTORY AND CULTURE.
I'M ALSO HERE EXPRESSLY TO INVITE YOU TO JOIN US ON OCTOBER 4TH AT THE OLD COURTHOUSE FOR A COMMUNITY CELEBRATION OF THE COMPLETION OF THE RENOVATION PROJECT AND THE OPENING OF A NEW EXHIBIT TO MARK THE [INAUDIBLE] CENTENNIAL OF THE OLD COURTHOUSE.
THE EXHIBIT UNCOVERS INTERESTING FACTS, IMPORTANT LEGAL CASES THAT WERE HEARD THERE AND FEATURES HEARTWARMING PERSONAL STORIES THAT SHED LIGHT ON THE IMPORTANCE OF THE OLD COURTHOUSE FOR OUR COUNTY.
FOR ANYONE WHO HASN'T HAPPENED TO LOOK DOWN THERE AND SEE IT, AND I'M SO GLAD TO SEE YOUR SCREEN SAVERS HERE, THE OLD COURTHOUSE HAS JUST REALLY COME ALIVE WITH THIS RENOVATION AND IS QUITE A CENTERPIECE FOR THE DOWNTOWN AREA.
WE WILL HAVE ON THAT DAY, PERFORMING GROUPS REPRESENTING THE GREAT VARIETY OF ETHNIC, CULTURAL, AND ECONOMIC BASES THAT HAVE SHAPED MERCED COUNTY, AS WELL AS MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT PROVIDED BY A VARIETY OF GROUPS.
I HOPE YOU WON'T MISS MY PERSONAL FAVORITE, THE ANDALUSIAN DANCING HORSES.
THIS WILL ALL TAKE PLACE BETWEEN 10:00 AM AND 2:00 PM ON OCTOBER 4TH.
WE HAVE ENJOYED OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH YOU, AND WE THANK YOU AGAIN FOR ALL YOU DO AND LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ON OCTOBER 4TH. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS GAMEELAH MOHAMMED.
I'M THE COMMUNITY DISASTER PROGRAM MANAGER FOR THE AMERICAN RED CROSS OF MERCED COUNTY.
IN HONOR OF SAFETY PREPAREDNESS MONTH, I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT OUR SOUND THE ALARM PROGRAM.
THE SOUND THE ALARM PROGRAMS AND NATIONWIDE PROGRAM, INSTALLING FREE SMOKE ALARMS IN [INAUDIBLE] COMMUNITIES OR IN COMMUNITIES THAT WOULD FIND IT CHALLENGING TO ACQUIRE THEIR OWN SMOKE ALARMS. IN ADDITION TO THAT, I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT AN AGENCY THAT HAS SUPPORTED THIS EFFORT THROUGHOUT MERCED COUNTY, AND THAT IS MERCED COUNTY FIRE.
UNDER THE DIRECTION OF CHIEF ASSISTANT CHIEF PIMENTEL, WE HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN INSTALLING SMOKE ALARMS THROUGHOUT MERCED COUNTY AND NEARLY 300 HOMES IN THE LAST THREE YEARS.
FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS, STATION 71 HAS BEEN A HUGE SUPPORT IN PROVIDING FIRE SAFETY PREPAREDNESS TO FAMILIES, FIRE PREVENTION TIPS TO FAMILIES WHILE OUR TEAMS ARE INSTALLING THESE SMOKE ALARMS. I WANTED TO PRESENT A SPECIAL GIFT TO MERCED COUNTY FIRES STATION 71, AND I WOULD LIKE CHIEF PIMENTEL TO COME AND ACCEPT THIS ON THEIR BEHALF.
CHIEF PIMENTEL, I'D LIKE YOU TO ACCEPT THIS BEAUTIFUL PLAQUE MADE BY THE WONDERFUL RETIRED CHP OFFICER RONALD GONZALEZ.
I ALSO WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW, FOR THOSE THAT ARE INTERESTED IN OUR SMOKE ALARM PROGRAM, PLEASE GO TO SOUNDTHEALARM.ORG OR I WILL ALSO LEAVE MY BUSINESS CARDS HERE.
YOU CAN ALSO REACH OUT TO ME IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED OR INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING AND SUPPORTING OUR PROGRAM. THANK YOU.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS NOW CLOSED FOR NON-AGENDA ITEMS. WE WILL NOW MOVE ON TO THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
[CONSENT CALENDAR]
>> CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 1 THROUGH 13.
PLEASE NOTE THAT FORFEIT VOTE IS REQUIRED ON ITEMS 1 THROUGH 6.
>> AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 1 THROUGH 13.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 1 THROUGH 13 IS NOW CLOSED.
I'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD.
I HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA, SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR PEREIRA.
CALL FOR THE VOTE. RECORD THE VOTE.
WE'LL NOW MOVE ON TO BOARD ACTION BEGINNING WITH HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY.
[BOARD ACTION]
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>> AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR HSA 14.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR HSA ITEM 14 IS NOW CLOSED. BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL, SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR PACHECO.
CALLED FOR THE VOTE. PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE.
>> AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR HEALTH ITEM 15.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR HEALTH ITEM 15 IS NOW CLOSED, AND BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD.
I HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA, SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR PACHECO. PLEASE CALL FOR THE VOTE.
PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE. MOTION UNANIMOUSLY PASSES.
>> AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR FIRE ITEM 16.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR FIRE ITEM 16 IS NOW CLOSED.
WE'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD.
A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA, SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR PEREIRA, CALL FOR THE VOTE.
PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE. NEXT, THE MOTION UNANIMOUSLY PASSES.
PLEASE NOTE ON ITEM 17, THERE WAS AN ADMINISTRATIVE ERROR IN THE BAI RELATED TO PRESIDING JUDGE LOWE'S NAME THAT HAS BEEN CORRECTED, AND THE BAI HAS BEEN REPLACED THIS MORNING.
>> THANK YOU. THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR PROBATION, ITEM 17 AND 18 IS NOW CLOSED.
>> I HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA, SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL.
>> AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ELECTIONS ITEM 19.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR ELECTIONS ITEM 19 IS NOW CLOSED.
BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD. SUPERVISOR PEREIRA.
>> IF WE COULD HAVE THE REGISTRAR OF VOTERS, MR. LEVY, COME UP. JUST A QUICK QUESTION.
ACTUALLY, TWO QUESTIONS. ONE, WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF WE DIDN'T PUT THIS ON OUR AGENDA AND VOTE IT?
>> GOOD MORNING MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, CEO HENDERSON, COUNTY COUNSEL HANSON.
THIS ELECTION IS A SPECIAL STATEWIDE ELECTION CALLED BY THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.
IT WAS A MEASURE PASSED SB280 IN LATE AUGUST.
IT IS REQUIRED THAT OUR BOARD VOTE ON ACCEPTING THIS ELECTION AND PROVIDING SERVICES TO THAT.
THAT BEING SAID, THE STATE HAS DIRECTED US TO DO THAT.
REALLY, THE ACCEPTANCE BY THIS BOARD IS TO PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES, AS WELL AS CONCEDE THAT WE WILL ACCEPT PREPAYMENT FROM THE STATE FOR THE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THIS ELECTION.
MY OFFICE PUT TOGETHER AN ESTIMATE FOR THE COST OF THIS ELECTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DIRECTION FROM THE LEGISLATURE WITH SB280.
WE ESTIMATE THAT IT'S GOING TO COST THIS COUNTY JUST UNDER $1.4 MILLION TO ADMINISTER THIS ELECTION.
THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE PUT OUT A LETTER THIS MONTH DIRECTING THE STATE TO ISSUE PAYMENT TO ALL OF THE COUNTIES FOR THIS ELECTION.
WE'RE EXPECTING THAT PAYMENT TO HAPPEN HERE IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS.
THEY'RE USING THE ESTIMATES FROM THE COUNTIES FOR THIS.
NOW, WE'LL HAVE TO GO BACK AND ESSENTIALLY PROVIDE THE PROOF FOR THOSE COSTS.
BUT PART OF THIS BAI IS TO AFFECT THOSE FUNDS.
>> THEN IF IT COSTS THE COUNTY 1.3, THEN WE GIVE BACK 100,000 OR IF IT COSTS US 1.45, THEY GIVE US ANOTHER 50 OR JUST LIKE A [INAUDIBLE] UP?
>> THE INITIAL GUIDANCE THAT WE HAVE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE FROM THE STATE IS THAT ANY OVERAGE THAT WE DON'T SPEND WILL ACTUALLY REMAIN WITH THE COUNTY AND BE PUT TOWARDS THE NEXT STATEWIDE ELECTION
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OR COSTS FROM THE STATE THAT WE HAVE SO THAT WE WON'T ACTUALLY HAVE TO REIMBURSE THE STATE.THAT'S THE INITIAL GUIDANCE THAT WE HAVE.
BASED ON THE PRECEDENT FROM THE 2021 RECALL, IF WE GO OVER THE COSTS, THEN WE CAN GO AHEAD AND REQUEST ADDITIONAL REIMBURSEMENT FOR THIS ELECTION.
WE THINK THAT OUR ESTIMATE JUST UNDER 1.4 MILLION IS A REALLY GOOD ESTIMATE OF WHERE WE ARE BASED ON HISTORICAL TRENDS, AS WELL AS UPDATED VENDOR COSTS, UPDATED POSTAGE COSTS, WHICH IS ALWAYS A BIG ONE.
WE THINK THAT WE'RE RIGHT IN THERE.
BUT CERTAINLY, WE'LL BE KEEPING REALLY CLOSE TRACK TO INCLUDE OUR STAFF HOURS FOR THE COST OF THIS, SO THAT DEPENDING ON WHERE WE FALL RELATIVE TO OUR ESTIMATE, WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT WE GET THOSE FUNDS FROM THE STATE.
>> THANKS FOR THE EXPLANATION.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. A VOTE TODAY TO PUT THIS ON THE BALLOT IS NOT A VOTE IN SUPPORT OF SB 50 CAUSE IT'S CRAZY HOW AB 1441 WAS BEFORE THE LEGISLATOR TO FORCE US INTO USING A COMMISSION HERE AT MERCED COUNTY AND YET THEY CHANGED THE CONSTITUTION TO ALLOW THIS TO GO TO THE VOTE.
LET'S UNDERSTAND THAT THEY DID CHANGE THE CALIFORNIA STATE CONSTITUTION TO ALLOW THIS TO BE HAPPEN AT ANY OTHER TIME, YET THE VOTERS HAVE ALREADY APPROVED A VOTE FOR A COMMISSION FOR THE WHOLE STATE.
JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT INFORMATION WAS OUT THERE BECAUSE I DO NOT SUPPORT SB 150 IN ANY WAY.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. SUPERVISOR SILA.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. FOR THE AUDIENCE AND FOLKS AT HOME TO UNDERSTAND, WHEN THE STATE AND THE GOVERNOR, IN PARTICULAR, STARTED PUSHING THIS IDEA OF DOING THIS CHANGING ELECTORAL BOUNDARIES FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS, I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT ORIGINALLY ON A MONDAY, HE CAME OUT AND SAID, OH, THE COUNTIES WOULD BE ABLE TO ABSORB THE COST.
THAT WAS HIS ORIGINAL STATEMENT.
I WANT TO TELL YOU, AS YOU GUYS HEAR US REPORT OUT THAT, WE'RE AT OUR CSAC MEETING, WHICH IS A STATE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES OR SUPERVISOR MCDANIELS AT THE RCRC MEETING AND WHERE WE GET VALUE IN BEING A PART OF THOSE ORGANIZATIONS, THOSE TWO ORGANIZATIONS, IT'S CALLED UCC.
IT'S URBAN COUNTIES OF CALIFORNIA.
YOU HAD THE RURALS, THE SUBURBANS, THE STATE WIDES AND THE URBAN COUNTIES ALL PUSHED BACK ON THE GOVERNOR AND TELL HIM THAT IF THERE IS NOT FUNDING TO COME ALONG WITH THIS ELECTION, THAT WE'RE GOING TO GO SCORCH DARTH ON IT.
IN A MATTER OF A WEEK IT WENT FROM ALL THE COUNTIES COULD ABSORB IT TO WE'LL REIMBURSE THE COUNTIES FOR THEIR COST TO NO, ACTUALLY, WE'RE GOING TO PRE-FUND COUNTIES FOR THEIR COSTS.
$1.4 MILLION IS NOTHING TO SHAKE A STICK AT.
THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY THAT COMES IN, WHEN WE'RE ALREADY FACING THESE TOUGH FINANCIAL TIMES.
REALLY THE ONES THAT I HAVE A LOT OF CONCERN FOR IS OUR SISTER COUNTIES ARE REAL RURAL COUNTIES AND HAVING TO STAND AT THESE ELECTIONS.
YES, THERE'S A COUPLE BIGGER JURISDICTIONS THAT WE'RE RUNNING SOME SPECIAL ELECTIONS FOR SOME SPECIAL DISTRICTS OR WHATEVER.
IT'S NOT AS BIG OF A CHALLENGE FOR THEM, BUT AS FAR AS I KNOW, WE WEREN'T HAVING AN ELECTION IN NOVEMBER.
I JUST WANT EVERYBODY TO UNDERSTAND THE PAIN AND SUFFERING THAT OUR REGISTER OF VOTERS WHO WOULD NORMALLY HAVE MONTHS TO PREPARE FOR AN ELECTION THAT'S ON THE CALENDAR AND YOU THINK OF THERE'S ONLY A FEW PLACES THAT ARE ALLOWED TO ACTUALLY PRINT OUR BALLOTS.
GUESS WHAT? NOW, ALL OF A SUDDEN, EVERYBODY NEEDS TO GET BALLOTS PRINTED.
HOW DO YOU THINK THAT DEAL WORKS? WITH THE EXCEPTION, I BELIEVE, ORANGE COUNTY IS THE ONLY ONE THAT ACTUALLY PRINTS THEIR OWN BALLOTS, BUT THEY HAVE TO STOCK UP ON SUPPLIES, MATERIAL.
IT'S GOING TO GET CRAZY AND I REALLY DO TRULY FEEL THAT THERE'S SOME JURISDICTIONS THAT ARE GOING TO LEFT BEHIND THAT ARE JUST SIMPLY NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO.
THEY DON'T JUST PRINT ALL THE BALLOTS IN LIKE A WEEK AND THEN SEND THEM OUT.
THEY PRINT BALLOTS WEEKS IN ADVANCE, I'LL SAY.
THEY'RE SITTING IN WAREHOUSES WAITING FOR THE DATE THAT THEY CAN BE SENT OUT BECAUSE LOGISTICALLY, THEY CAN'T PRINT THEM ALL IN A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME.
THE STATE, AGAIN, THIS CRAZY ACTION, LISTEN TO WHETHER YOU AGREE WITH WHAT'S GOING ON NATIONALLY OR NOT.
I DON'T THINK TWO WRONGS MAKE A RIGHT.
I ALSO THINK THAT OUR GOVERNOR WHO IS ABSOLUTELY RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT THE UNITED STATES, IF ANYBODY HASN'T FIGURED THAT OUT YET, HAS CHOSEN TO PUT $250 MILLION OF CALIFORNIA TAXPAYER MONEY AT RISK BECAUSE QUITE HONESTLY THE FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION WANTS TO POKE THE STATE ADMINISTRATION AND THE STATE ADMINISTRATION WANTS TO POKE THE FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION AND UNDERSTAND THAT,
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NO MATTER THE OUTCOME OF THIS ELECTION, IT'S $250 MILLION OF TAXPAYER MONEY WHEN THE STATES TELLING US THAT THEY'RE IN BUDGET DEFICIT.YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT NOT BEING FISCAL STEWARDS OF OUR MONEY.
THIS IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF IT.
I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE EVEN HAVE TO VOTE TO PUT THIS CEREMONIAL VOTE THAT MAKES IT SEEM LIKE WE'RE OKAY WITH IT.
THIS IS ANOTHER WHERE THE STATE JUST SAYS, WELL, WE'RE GOING TO DO WHAT WE WANT TO DO AND OH, BY THE WAY, YOU HAVE TO VOTE YES ON IT.
THE VOTERS HAVE SPOKEN IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.
WE PASSED INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSIONS THAT DO THE GOOD WORK, AND NOW, WHEN IT FITS THE NARRATIVE OF THE PEOPLE IN SACRAMENTO THAT TELL US TO DO WHAT THEY SAY AND NOT WHAT THEY DO.
HERE WE ARE. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THIS SPECIAL ELECTION COME NOVEMBER.
AGAIN, I WANT TO REMIND EVERYBODY, $1.4 MILLION THAT COULD HAVE WENT TO WHAT? THERE'S A LOT OF OTHER SERVICES, A LOT OF OTHER FOLKS OUT THERE THAT WE COULD HAVE HELPED FOR ONE POINT MILLION DOLLAR, BUT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A SPECIAL ELECTION SO THAT THE GOVERNOR CAN TRY TO POSITION HIMSELF TO BE WHAT HE THINKS IN A BETTER POSITION WHEN HE WANTS TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT IN A FEW YEARS. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR.
I ASKED THE EXACT SAME QUESTION IN GENDER REVIEW.
KATE SAID, WHAT HAPPENS IF WE SAY NO? I UNDERSTAND THAT WE CAN'T OR WHATEVER.
BUT I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO MY COLLEAGUE, SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL, FOR HIGHLIGHTING THAT.
I SPENT A LOT OF TIME IN SACRAMENTO OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS TALKING ABOUT WHAT WE DID WITH REDRAWING OUR DISTRICT LINES WAS THE RIGHT WAY TO DO IT.
THE BOARD DID IT THEMSELVES WITH MULTIPLE PUBLIC MEETINGS.
WE DID EVERYTHING THAT WE WERE SUPPOSED TO DO ALL FOR PRETTY MUCH TO EVERY PERSON UP THERE.
THEIR COMMENTS BACK TO ME WERE POLITICIANS SHOULD NOT DRAW LINES FOR THEMSELVES. I GET IT.
WE WANTED TO HAVE AN ADVISORY COMMISSION TO COME IN AND HELP GUIDE THE LINES AND DRAW THE LINES.
THEN NOW THEY'RE SAYING TO COMBAT WHAT'S HAPPENING NATIONALLY THAT POLITICIANS SHOULD DRAW THE LINES TO PROTECT THE FREEDOMS OF THE PEOPLE IN CALIFORNIA, WHEN I WAS TOLD THAT THAT SHOULDN'T BE THE CASE AND THAT WE WERE WRONG.
THE HYPOCRISY OF THE WHOLE THING IS MIND BLOWING TO ME.
I ALSO AGREE WITH WHAT MY COLLEAGUE, SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA SAID.
WE HAVE A BUDGET THAT WE'RE GOING TO HOPEFULLY APPROVE TODAY, WE'RE GOING TO GO OVER.
BUT IF YOU THINK ABOUT $1.4 MILLION AND WE GOT E MAILS ABOUT, CAN WE GET MORE MONEY FOR LOW INCOME HOUSING? CAN WE DO THIS? WELL, YEAH, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD REALLY PROBABLY FOCUS ON AS OPPOSED TO POKING THE EYE OF THE NATIONAL GUY.
IF WE HAVE THAT MONEY LAYING AROUND $250 MILLION AND FOR US, 1.4, THEN THAT SHOULD BE FOR PEOPLE TO HELP PEOPLE.
BUT WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND MOTION BY SUPERVISOR PACHECO AND A SECOND BY SUPERVISOR PEREIRA.
PLEASE CALL FOR THE VOTE. PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE.
NEXT, WE HAVE HUMAN RESOURCES.
>> AT THIS TIME, I WILL TURN THE MIC OVER TO COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER MARK HENDRICKSON TO PROVIDE INFORMATION REGARDING THIS ITEM. MR. HENDRICKSON.
>> MR. CHAIRMAN, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AGAIN, GOOD MORNING.
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HAS LONG BEEN CONCERNED WITH RISING HEALTH CARE COSTS AND IMPACT ON OUR EMPLOYEES, THEIR FAMILIES AND OBVIOUSLY THE COUNTY BUDGET.
OVER THE NEXT HANDFUL OF SLIDES, I'M GOING TO WALK YOU THROUGH WHERE THINGS STAND, HOW WE COMPARE TO OTHERS AND HOW WE PLAN TO SOFTEN THE IMPACT FOR OUR EMPLOYEES IN THE YEAR 2026.
THIS RATE INCREASE FROM MERCED COUNTY IN 2026 FROM OUR INSURER IS 13.9%, WHICH IS A SUBSTANTIAL JUMP FROM THE 4.2% LAST YEAR.
THE AVERAGE FOR THE PRISM POOL IS 14.24%.
PLEASE KEEP IN MIND, THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 50 OTHER PUBLIC AGENCIES IN OUR INSURANCE POOL.
AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THIS CHART, THERE HAS BEEN VOLATILITY OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS IN THE MARKETPLACE.
AS YOU COMPARE OUR POOL WITH CALPERS, YOU'LL NOTICE THAT THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED SOME YEARS WHERE THEY'VE BEEN HIGHER AND SOME YEARS WHERE THEY HAVE BEEN LOWER AND VICE VERSA.
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AGAIN, VERY CONSISTENT IN THE MARKETPLACE.THIS RATE INCREASE BEING IMPOSED ON MERCED COUNTY IS NOT UNIQUE TO OUR ORGANIZATION.
THIS SLIDE DEPICTS HOW WE FARED AGAINST OTHER LOCAL JURISDICTIONS WITHIN OUR SAME EXACT POOL.
NOW, AS YOU CAN SEE, OUR RATE OF INCREASE WHILE HIGH IS LOWER THAN EACH OF THE OTHER LOCAL JURISDICTIONS IN OUR POOL, TO INCLUDE STANISLAUS COURTS, TID, MID, THE CITY OF MERCED AND MERCED SUPERIOR COURT.
AGAIN, WHILE HIGH, IT IS LOWER THAN SEVERAL OF OUR OTHER LOCAL JURISDICTIONS. NEXT SLIDE, TAMERA.
FROM A BROADER PERSPECTIVE, EVALUATING OURSELVES AGAINST OTHER COUNTIES IN OUR INSURANCE POOL, THIS SLIDE SHOWS THAT OUR RATE OF INCREASE, AGAIN, WHILE HIGH IS LOWER THAN SEVERAL OTHER COUNTIES.
NOW, BEFORE I TRANSITION TO THE NEXT SLIDE, LET ME BE VERY CLEAR.
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS DOES NOT ESTABLISH THE RATES AND THERE ARE SEVERAL FACTORS THAT DO CONTRIBUTE TO ESCALATING PREMIUMS, INCLUDING UTILIZATION, OVERALL HEALTH CARE COST, DEMOGRAPHIC TRENDS, POLICY AND REGULATORY CHANGES AND GENERAL INFLATION TO NAME JUST A FEW.
WHILE SPEAKING OF UTILIZATION, PRISM HEALTH DATA DOES INDICATE THAT THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT RISE IN HEALTH COST CLAIMS THROUGH OUR POOL WITH THE HIGHEST PAID AND MOST DIAGNOSED CONDITIONS BEING THAT OF CANCER AND MATERNITY CARE.
MERCED COUNTY UTILIZATION IS ALSO REFLECTIVE.
AS THIS BOARD, AS I MENTIONED, EARLIER, HAS LISTENED CLOSELY TO THE CONCERNS OF OUR EMPLOYEES.
THANKS TO THE LEADERSHIP OF THIS BOARD, I'M PROUD THAT THERE'S BEEN A PLAN TO HELP SOFTEN THE IMPACT IN 2026.
NOW, OUR STRATEGY UNDERTAKES ESSENTIALLY A HANDFUL OF STEPS.
THE FIRST OF WHICH, THE COUNTY WILL APPLY THE 3% CAP INCREASE ALREADY APPROVED BY THIS BOARD FOR THE GROUPS WITH WHOM WE HAVE MOUS.
TWO, SUBJECT TO SECURING SIDE LETTERS WITH EACH OF OUR BARGAINING GROUPS, ACTIVE EMPLOYEES WILL HAVE A 5% INCREASE FROM THE 2025 RATES AND THE COUNTY WILL ABSORB THE BALANCE OF THE REMAINING INCREASE.
THEN THREE, THE COUNTY WILL ABSORB THE COST OF BLENDING, IT'S USUALLY PASSED ON TO OUR ACTIVE EMPLOYEES.
NOW, AGAIN, PRIOR TO TRANSITION THE NEXT SLIDE, I THINK THERE ARE TWO ADDITIONAL POINTS THAT I THINK ARE IMPORTANT TO MENTION.
FIRST, THIS STRATEGY IS DESIGNED TO SOFTEN THE IMPACT IN THE SHORT TERM AND IS LIMITED TO THE 2026 BENEFIT YEAR AS THIS IS NOT SUSTAINABLE.
SECONDLY AND IN THIS REGARD, THIS WILL REQUIRE US TO EVALUATE LONG TERM SOLUTIONS TO BETTER CONTAIN COST PROSPECTIVELY.
NOW, AGAIN, THANKS TO THE LEADERSHIP OF THIS BOARD, WE ARE CURRENTLY AWAITING RESPONSES TO OUR OPEN RFP FOR A COMPREHENSIVE THIRD PARTY EVALUATION OF OUR EXISTING HEALTHCARE PLAN, COST DRIVERS, PLAN PERFORMANCE AND BENCHMARKING AGAINST OTHER COMPARABLE PUBLIC AGENCIES.
NOW, WHILE I WON'T GO THROUGH EACH OF THESE, I DO THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO SHOW THE POSITIVE IMPACT OF THE MITIGATION STRATEGY THAT WE'RE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD WITH.
JUST TO PUT THIS IN PERSPECTIVE FOR AN ACTIVE EMPLOYEE ON THE 500 PLAN, THEY WOULD CURRENTLY PAY $87.34 PER PAY PERIOD IN THE BENEFIT YEAR 2025.
IF NO ADDITIONAL ACTION WAS TAKEN BEYOND THE AGREED UPON 3% CAP INCREASE AS AUTHORIZED BY THIS BOARD, THEIR 2026 OUT OF POCKET PER PAY PERIOD WOULD INCREASE TO $162.
HOWEVER, BY IMPLEMENTING THE MITIGRATION STRATEGY THAT OUR TEAM DEVELOPED, THEIR 2026 COST WILL BE $91.71, WHICH IS A MODEST $4.37 INCREASE AND SAVES EMPLOYEES IN THIS PARTICULAR PLAN A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN 18 AND $28 ANNUALLY.
ANOTHER EXAMPLE IS FOR AN EMPLOYEE AND FAMILY ON THE 500 PLAN, THEY CURRENTLY PAY $625.93 PER PAY PERIOD IN 2025.
AGAIN, IF NOTHING WAS DONE BEYOND APPLYING THE 3% CAP INCREASE, THEIR 2026 COSTS WOULD HAVE JUMPED TO $820.34 PER PAY PERIOD.
HOWEVER, AGAIN, BY IMPLEMENTING THE STRATEGY, THEIR 2026 COSTS WILL BE $657.23, WHICH IS ROUGHLY A $31 INCREASE SAVING OUR EMPLOYEES IN THIS PLAN MORE THAN $4,200 ANNUALLY.
IN CLOSING, JUST A HANDFUL OF QUICK KEY POINTS.
AGAIN, JUST TO REITERATE, THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS DOES NOT ESTABLISH THE RATES.
TWO HEALTH INSURANCE RATES ARE RISING ACROSS CALIFORNIA AND THROUGHOUT THE NATION.
THREE, WE DO HAVE A SOLID SHORT TERM PLAN TO POSITIVELY IMPACT OUR EMPLOYEES TO AGAIN SOFTEN THE IMPACT, BUT AGAIN, IT'S GOING TO REQUIRE US TO BE EVALUATING ALL LONG TERM OPTIONS TO CONTAIN COST IN THE FUTURE.
[00:30:01]
AT THIS POINT, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO ACKNOWLEDGE MY TEAM.BEGINNING WITH OUR ASSISTANT CEO MARCY PEREIRA, OUR DEPUTY CEOS, BOTH SOMMER MONIZ AND VANESSA ANDERSON, FOR THEIR HARD WORK AND CREATIVITY DEVELOPING OUR MITIGATION STRATEGY.
MR. CHAIRMAN, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, THIS ITEM DOES RECOMMEND THAT YOU ACTUALLY ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF THE 2026 PREMIUM INCREASE BY PRISM HEALTH AND TAKE THE ADDITIONAL ACTIONS AS IDENTIFIED IN YOUR BOARD ITEM.
THAT'S ALL I HAVE, MR. CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
>> THANK YOU. AT THIS TIME, I WILL GIVE A QUESTION. CAN I OPEN A PUBLIC COMMENT? AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR HR ITEM NUMBER 20.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR HR ITEM NUMBER 20 IS NOW CLOSED, SUPERVISOR PEREIRA.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. IF YOU NOTICE, WE'VE HAD SOME SIGNIFICANT INCREASES ON THE HIGH END OF UTILIZATION.
HOWEVER, OUR PERCENTAGE INCREASE ISN'T AS HIGH AS OTHER COUNTIES AND DISTRICTS.
MY BELIEF AS PART OF THAT IS THE UTILIZATION OF THE WELLNESS CENTER AND SOME OTHER THINGS.
I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S YOU OR IF IT'S HR, BUT COULD YOU JUST SHARE THOSE, SO ANYBODY LISTENING WOULD KNOW SOME OF THE WAYS WE KEEP COSTS DOWN THAT THEY MIGHT DO THAT IN THE FUTURE. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?
>> IT DOES. MR. CHAIRMAN, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, I THINK SUPERVISOR PEREIRA RAISES A GOOD POINT.
AS A COUNTY EMPLOYEE BASE, UNDERTAKE STEPS AS AN EXAMPLE, WHEN YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO URGENT CARE RATHER THAN THAN THE ER, THAT IS A FACTOR.
THE COUNTY OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENTED A CLINIC OF ITS OWN THAT'S HOUSED OUT AT OUR HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY.
THE MORE THAT OUR EMPLOYEES LEVERAGE THAT AS A TOOL, THAT'S GOING TO HELP DRIVE DOWN COST AS WELL.
ULTIMATELY, THE UNDERLYING POINT IS THAT OBVIOUSLY, WITH REGARD TO OUR COST, MUCH OF THAT IS BEING DRIVEN AGAIN, TO SUPERVISOR PEREIRA POINT, WITH REGARD TO UTILIZATION AND SIMPLE LITTLE THINGS, LIKE ACTUALLY LEVERAGING BOTH OF THOSE AS JUST TWO QUICK EXAMPLES ARE GOING TO HELP US CONTAIN COST, REDUCE OUR UTILIZATION AND THAT OVER THE LONG HAUL WILL ACTUALLY HAVE AT LEAST IN THEORY, A POSITIVE IMPACT WITH REGARD TO OUR UTILIZATION.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR MARK, I DO HAVE A QUESTION.
IN SOME OF THE DISCUSSIONS WITH SOME EMPLOYEES, IS THERE A WAY TO INCENTIVIZE OR DETOUR THE USAGE OF THE EMERGENCY ROOM? BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT'S WHAT DRIVES UP.
IT BECOME A CULTURE, TO GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM.
IS THERE ANY WAY TO INCENTIVIZE OR I DON'T WANT TO SAY PUNISH OR PENALTY, BUT TO INCENTIVIZE NOT TO USE OF THAT BECAUSE EVEN OUR TELEHEALTH NETWORK THAT I USE VERY OFTEN SEEMS TO BE A LOT LESS COST?
>> YES, SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL THROUGH THE CHAIR, PROBABLY WHAT I WOULD OFFER.
CERTAINLY, THOSE ARE CONVERSATIONS THAT WE CAN HAVE AND CONTEMPLATE.
WHAT I WOULD OFFER TODAY IS, I THINK A BIG PART OF WHAT OUR TEAM IS GOING TO BE DOING PROSPECTIVELY, IS ACTUALLY HELPING BETTER EDUCATE OUR EMPLOYEES AS IT RELATES TO AGAIN TO THE POINTS THAT SUPERVISOR PEREIRA WAS MAKING, ACTUALLY LEVERAGING SOME OF THOSE TOOLS AND ASSETS TO AGAIN HELP HELP CONTAIN COSTS.
WE CAN CERTAINLY EXPLORE THAT.
AGAIN, NOT IN A POSITION TODAY TO OFFER ANY SUBSTANTIVE PROPOSALS RELATED TO THAT, BUT WE CAN CERTAINLY TALK ABOUT THAT.
AS WE ACTUALLY RECEIVE HOPEFULLY DATA BACK FROM THE RFP THAT THIS BOARD UNDERTAKING, WHICH, OF COURSE, WE'RE GOING TO BE TAKING A LOOK AT OTHER COMPARABLE EXAMPLES WITH OTHER AGENCIES AS TO HOW WHAT STEPS THAT THEY'RE TAKING AND LEVERAGING BEST PRACTICES.
HOW CAN WE ACTUALLY TAKE A LOOK AT THOSE AND MAYBE INCORPORATE THOSE INTO OUR OWN PRACTICES AS WELL?
>> RIGHT ON. MARK, I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU AND YOUR TEAM, MARCY ON DOING THIS BECAUSE WE'VE HAD A LOT OF DISCUSSIONS AND DEEP DIVES ON THIS, AND I APPRECIATE YOU FINDING THE FUNDING IN DIFFERENT AREAS.
OF COURSE, WE KNOW SOME OF OUR INVESTMENTS WE MADE A LONG TIME AGO THAT HAVE MATURED AND ABLE TO HELP US MOVE FORWARD, BUT I JUST WANT TO SAY THERE'S A BIG APPRECIATION ON THIS.
I KNOW WE'RE LOOKING FURTHER AND MORE STUFF. THANK YOU, SIR.
>> THANK YOU, CHAIR. I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU TOO.
I MEAN, ONE OF THE THINGS WHEN I CAME AT OFFICE WAS TO LOOK AT HEALTHCARE.
SO I THINK IT'S GOOD THAT YOU AND YOUR TEAM DID THAT.
I APPRECIATE YOU THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX, AND I'M HOPEFUL THAT MOVING FORWARD THAT WE'LL BE ABLE TO TACKLE THIS HEALTHCARE SURE IT'S BENEFITS OUR EMPLOYEE.
THANK YOU AGAIN, FOR YOUR WORK.
[00:35:05]
>> I ALSO WANT TO SAY THANK YOU.
WE WERE AT THE OPE MEETING AND THERE WAS A LOT OF QUESTIONS THAT WERE BEING ASKED ABOUT, HOW WE CAN GET TO THIS POINT.
I WANT TO MAKE IT VERY CLEAR THAT, THIS IS BUYING US TIME, UNTIL WHICH TIME WE GET THE INFORMATION BACK FROM THE RFP THAT WENT OUT SO WE CAN REALLY LOOK AT OTHER STRATEGIES AND WAYS WE CAN DO THIS.
WE THE FOUR OF US, AND WITH SUPERVISOR PACHECO COMING ON BOARD.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HE'S BEEN VERY INTERESTED IN.
I KNOW THAT WE'VE BEEN VERY INTERESTED IN LOOKING AT THE COSTS OF THIS STUFF OF HEALTHCARE.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE'VE HEARD IT LOUD AND CLEAR FROM THE EMPLOYEES DURING MULTIPLE NEGOTIATIONS DURING MULTIPLE PUBLIC MEETINGS, AND THERE WAS ALWAYS A WILL.
I WAS JUST FINDING A WAY TO GET IT DONE.
I REALLY WANTED TO THANK, MARK VANESSA, SUMMER, MARCY, EVERYBODY THAT REALLY WORKED ON THIS.
THIS WAS OUTSIDE THE BOX THINKING.
SOMETHING THAT I THINK THAT I'VE ENCOURAGED SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE IS TO THROW IT AT THE WALL, SEE WHAT STICKS.
THIS IS ONE OF THEM, THAT I THINK IS REALLY SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO DO WELL FOR US.
I WOULD ENCOURAGE PEOPLE, TO HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS, LIKE WHAT SUPERVISOR PRAYER SAID ABOUT, THE DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR WELLNESS, LOOK AT THE DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES, NOT JUST GOING TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM, ALTHOUGH I DO KNOW THAT IT'S REALLY DIFFICULT IN MERCED COUNTY BECAUSE THE LACK OF SPECIALISTS AND THE LACK OF DOCTORS THAT WE HAVE HERE IN TOWN TO JUST GO SEE OR TO GET AN APPOINTMENT WITH SOMEBODY.
I THINK A LOT OF TIMES THAT'S A LOT OF PEOPLE'S GO TO, WHICH IS UNFORTUNATE.
BUT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT, WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO WORK ON MOVING FORWARD.
AT LEAST IT'S SOMETHING THAT I'M LOOKING AT, ESPECIALLY WITH THESE CUTS TO MEDICAID AND EVERYTHING AND MEDICARE AND ALL THAT.
THE PROBLEM IS HEALTHCARE IN CALIFORNIA AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY, I HAD A NATIONAL MEETING YESTERDAY, ESPECIALLY IN RURAL AREAS, HOSPITALS ARE CLOSING, AND I KNOW OF GLENN COUNTY, THEY'RE CLOSING THEIR HOSPITAL, MERCED COUNTY IS CLOSING, I WANT TO SAY MERIPOS IS CLOSE.
THERE'S ANOTHER ONE DOWN SOUTH.
IT'S REALLY SCARY WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT BECAUSE, WE'RE SUPPOSED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE, HELPING PEOPLE WHEN IT COMES TO THIS STUFF.
WE HAVE, I THINK WE'RE DOWN TO 1+1 PERSON TO DELIVER BABIES IN MERCED COUNTY HERE IN THE CITY OF MERCHD, WHICH IS VERY SCARY. SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. A LOT HAS BEEN SAID.
I JUST WANT EVERYBODY TO UNDERSTAND AS YOU TALK TO PEOPLE IN THE HEALTH CARE SPACE, THIS PROBLEM ISN'T GOING AWAY.
I DON'T CARE WHICH HEALTH PLAN YOU'RE IN.
THESE DOUBLE DIGIT INCREASES ARE EXPECTED TO HAPPEN OVER AT LEAST THE NEXT THREE OR FOUR YEARS.
THAT'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT, AND WHAT WE WERE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH IN THIS YEAR WAS A BAND AID.
WE TOOK SOME ONE TIME MONIES AND ENABLE TO SOFTEN HOW MUCH THE EMPLOYEES ARE GOING TO HAVE TO PAY, AND RIGHTFULLY SO BECAUSE WE'RE GOING THROUGH THIS RFP PROCESS.
I GO INTO IT EYES WIDE OPEN UNDERSTANDING THAT WE MIGHT GO THROUGH AND THEY MIGHT TELL US, WELL, WHAT YOU GUYS HAVE IS A GOOD ONE, AND YOU'RE PROBABLY NOT GOING TO DO MUCH BETTER.
IF THAT'S THE CASE, AND NEXT YEAR, IF YOU GET ANOTHER 10% INCREASE, AND THEN NEXT YEAR WE'RE STARING DOWN THE BARREL OF HOW WE'RE GOING TO PAY FOR 20% INCREASES.
IT'S NOT OVER. BUT HOPEFULLY, I'M EXCITED THAT WE'RE GOING TO GO THROUGH THIS RFP PROCESS.
HAVE SOMEBODY COME IN AND RE EVALUATE WHAT WE'RE DOING AND WHAT WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THAT.
I DON'T THINK ANY OF US REALLY KNOW, AND I'M EXCITED FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO FIND OUT POTENTIALLY WHAT ELSE IS OUT THERE BECAUSE WHEN YOU LOOK AT OTHER, JURISDICTIONS AND WHAT THEY'RE PAYING VERSUS WHAT WE'RE PAYING.
IT LOOKS DIFFERENT, BUT REALLY THE DEVILS IN THE DETAILS.
IT'S THE PLANS THAT YOU OFFER.
THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE NEED TO UNDERSTAND IS, I CAN FIND YOU A PLAN THAT YOU PAY HARDLY ANYTHING FOR, BUT THAT'S BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT PAYING ON THE FRONT AND YOU'RE GOING TO BE PAYING ON THE BACK END.
I THINK WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT ALL THAT STUFF, AND WE'RE GOING TO LIVE TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY WITH TODAY'S VOTE, AND THEN NEXT YEAR, WE'RE GOING TO BE RIGHT BACK AT THIS.
I LOOK FORWARD TO THE OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY DIG IN.
I'VE HAD A CONVERSATION WITH THE CEO THAT, WE HAVE AN OPE BOARD THAT MEETS.
WE HAVE THESE DIFFERENT BOARDS THAT MEET.
AS COUNTY SUPERVISORS, WE'RE TASKED WITH MAKING THESE DECISIONS.
REMEMBER, WE DON'T SET THE RATES, BUT WE'RE THE ONES THAT GOT TO MAKE THE DECISIONS ON HOW YOU'RE GOING TO PAY FOR IT.
[00:40:03]
I THINK IT'S TIME THAT WE NEED TO SET UP A HEALTHCARE AT HOC COMMITTEE THAT HAS SOME BOARD INVOLVEMENT, HAS THE KEY PLAYERS WITHIN THE COUNTY STRUCTURE THAT ARE PART OF THAT, HR RISK, THE BUDGET OFFICE, AUDITOR CONTROLLER'S OFFICE, THE CEO'S OFFICE, AND A BOARD MEMBER.EVEN THOUGH I'M NOT CHAIR, I WOULD PUT MY NAME OUT THERE AS A POSSIBLE SUGGESTION TO BE ON THAT BOARD, BECAUSE WANT TO UNDERSTAND IT BETTER.
I DON'T UNDERSTAND IT WELL ENOUGH, BUT YET WE'RE TASKED WITH MAKING DECISIONS ON IT, AND SO I WANT TO UNDERSTAND IT BETTER.
I KNOW THAT'S NOT A PART OF THIS, BUT I'M GOING TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY AS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HEALTHCARE TO MAYBE START CONSIDERING WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE, AND DEFINITELY WOULD WANT TO BE A PART OF IT.
THAT WAY WE CAN HELP OUR EMPLOYEES UNDERSTAND EXACTLY WHAT IT IS.THE COMMENT WAS IS, WELL, HOW DO YOU KEEP PEOPLE GOING TO THE ER? WELL, QUITE HONESTLY, YOU SET THE RATE THAT YOU PAY AGAINST YOUR DEDUCTIBLE HIGHER UNLESS YOU GET ADMITTED. THEN THAT GETS WAVED.
BUT THEN THAT KEEPS PEOPLE FROM USING THE ER FOR WHEN THEY SMASHED THEIR FINGER IN A DOOR.
THAT'S NOT WHAT ERS WERE DESIGNED FOR, AND I DON'T MAKE THAT UP.
GO ASK ANY ER DOC, WHAT THEY'RE THERE FOR.
YEAH, IT HURTS. BUT IS THAT SOMETHING THAT YOU NEED TO TAKE AN AMBULANCE RIDE AND GO TO THE ER FOR? I DON'T THINK IT IS. NOW, YOU COULD PROBABLY SHOW ME A SCENARIO WHERE THEY PROBABLY NEEDED TO GO TO THE ER. I UNDERSTAND THAT.
BUT I THINK THOSE ARE DIFFERENT WAYS THAT WE NEED TO LOOK AT THESE PLANS BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW A LOT ABOUT THEM, BUT THESE PLANS IT'S YOUR DEDUCTIBLES.
IT'S WHAT YOU PAY FOR THIS, WHAT YOU PAY FOR THAT, THAT HELP THAT'S WHAT CAUSES THAT RATE.
I LOOK FORWARD TO FURTHER CONVERSATIONS ON THAT. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA, SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR PEREIRA.
PLEASE RECORD RECORD THE VOTE.
NEXT, WE HAVE BOARD INFORMATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION.
[BOARD INFORMATION & POSSIBLE ACTION]
>> AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR INFO ITEMS 21/22.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR INFO ITEMS 21 AND 22 IS NOW CLOSED.
CLOSE OR BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD.
I HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA, SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL.
CALL FOR THE VOTE. PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE.
AT THIS TIME, WE WILL TAKE A TEN MINUTE BREAK TO ALLOW STAFF TIME TO TRANSITION TO THE FINAL BUDGET HEARING AND AGENDA.
AT THIS TIME. WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND STAR YOU STARTED AGAIN.
AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN THE FINAL BUDGET HEARING FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025 2026.
>> PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON ITEMS INCLUDED ON THE BUDGET CALENDAR WILL BE HEARD AFTER EACH ITEM IS ANNOUNCED AND IF APPLICABLE PRESENTATION OF THE ITEM.
TESTIMONY IS LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES PER PERSON.
>> AT THIS TIME, WE WILL HAVE A PRESENTATION OF THE MERCED COUNTY FISCAL YEAR 2025 2026, FINAL BUDGET BY THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICE.
I WILL NOW TURN THE MIC OVER TO OUR COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER MARK HENDRICKSON TO START THE PRESENTATION.
NO THEY TOLD ME. AFTER YOUR PRESENTATION.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD WILL BE AFTER THE PRESENTATION.
>> MR. CHAIRMAN, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, AGAIN, GOOD MORNING.
FOR THE BOARD'S CONSIDERATION TODAY IS THE FISCAL YEAR 2025/26 FINAL BUDGET.
THIS IS A BALANCED $1.2 BILLION OPERATING PLAN.
AS YOU'LL SEE IN THE PRESENTATION MOMENTARILY, THIS IS A $24.9 MILLION REDUCTION FROM YOUR PROPOSED BUDGET IN JUNE.
WE'D LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO HIGHLIGHT TWO QUICK POINTS.
FIRST OF WHICH, THE FINAL BUDGET IS REFLECTIVE OF THE FISCAL UNCERTAINTY THAT WE AND OTHER COUNTIES THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA ARE FACING.
AS THIS BOARD WELL KNOWS, THERE IS A GREAT DEAL OF FISCAL UNCERTAINTY THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY COMMUNITY, DUE TO FEDERAL AND STATE DECISION MAKING.
AS WE OPERATE AT THE FRONT LINE OF GOVERNMENT SERVICES, DELIVERING VITAL SERVICES SUCH AS PUBLIC SAFETY, PUBLIC HEALTH, AND SOCIAL SERVICES, OUR ABILITY TO MAINTAIN OPERATIONS IS CERTAINLY BEING MADE MORE CHALLENGING.
NOW, THESE UNCERTAINTIES CAN DISRUPT LONG TERM PLANNING, AND STRAIN ALREADY LIMITED LOCAL RESOURCES, BUT THAT SAID, THIS BUDGET IS BALANCED, IS REFLECTIVE OF THE BOARD'S PRIORITIES AND AIMS TO PROVIDE THE MOST IMPACTFUL SERVICES FOR MERCED COUNTY RESIDENTS.
[00:45:01]
SECONDLY, FISCAL DISCIPLINE IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE LONG TERM STABILITY OF ANY GOVERNMENT, ORGANIZATION, OR EVEN THE HOUSEHOLD.THIS MEANS MANAGING SPENDING WITHIN AVAILABLE RESOURCES, AVOIDING UNNECESSARY DEBT, AND PLANNING FOR FUTURE FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS.
IN OUR CASE, AND AGAIN, THANKS TO THE LEADERSHIP OF THIS BOARD, TAXPAYER DOLLARS ARE BEING USED EFFICIENTLY, AND THE CRITICAL SERVICES SUCH AS PUBLIC SAFETY, SOCIAL SERVICES, AND INFRASTRUCTURE ARE BEING FUNDED RELIABLY OVER TIME.
NOW, MAINTAINING FISCAL DISCIPLINE BUILDS PUBLIC TRUST, I WOULD ARGUE BY DEMONSTRATING THAT WE ARE ACTING RESPONSIBLY AND TRANSPARENTLY WITH THE PUBLIC'S RESOURCES.
ULTIMATELY, FISCAL DISCIPLINE IS NOT JUST ABOUT RESTRAINT, IS ALSO ABOUT RESPONSIBLE STEWARDSHIP.
ESSENTIALLY BY MAKING BALANCED DECISIONS TODAY, THIS BOARD IS CREATING THE FOUNDATION FOR SUSTAINABILITY AND SECURITY TOMORROW.
AT THIS POINT, MR. CHAIRMAN, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, I'D LIKE TO TURN IT OVER TO OUR DEPUTY CEO, VANESSA ANDERSON, WHO IS GOING TO WALK YOU THROUGH TODAY'S PRESENTATION. VANESSA.
>> GOOD MORNING, MR. CHAIRMAN, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, EVERYONE HERE.
AS CEO HENDRICKSON MENTIONED, I WILL BE WALKING THROUGH THE BUDGET DETAILS.
THIS FIRST SLIDE WILL UNPACK THE OVERVIEW THAT WE HAVE, FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION TODAY.
OUR TOTAL APPROPRIATIONS, YOU CAN SEE ON THE TOP LINE, SECOND COLUMN OF THE NUMBERS, OUR $1.12 BILLION BUDGET PACKAGE FOR THE '25/26 ADOPTED OR FINAL BUDGET.
IT IS A DECREASE OF $24.9 MILLION.
MOVING INTO THE DETAILS OF THAT, WE HAVE OUR OTHER FUNDS, WHICH REPRESENT 28% OF THIS SPENDING PACKAGE COMING IN AT $310.9 MILLION.
THOSE OTHER FUNDS ARE NOT DISCRETIONARY.
I WANT TO MAKE THAT DISTINCTION.
THOSE FUNDS ARE SELF CONTAINED.
THEY ARE HELD OUTSIDE OF OUR GENERAL FUND, WHICH IS THE PRIMARY OPERATING AREA FOR A LOT OF DEPARTMENTS.
DEPARTMENTS THAT FALL WITHIN THESE OTHER FUNDS INCLUDE ROADS, CASTLE, FIRE, OUR JAIL PROJECTS, PLANATA 20 MILLION, CHILD SUPPORT, SPRING FAIR AND ARPA, TO NAME A FEW OF THEM.
THE REDUCTIONS THERE OF $19.5 MILLION, REPRESENTS A LOT OF SPIN DOWN OF THE ARPA MONEY THAT WE'VE SEEN, AND ALSO OUR JAIL PROJECT IN THE FINAL MONTHS OF OUR FISCAL YEAR '24/25, WHICH I'LL SHARE WITH YOU, THE PROPOSED BUDGET IS PREPARED ON SOME PRELIMINARY ESTIMATES, THE BEST INFORMATION WE HAVE AT THE TIME.
FINAL BUDGET IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO TRUE UP WHAT WE HAVE INCLUDED AT PROPOSED TO PROVIDE A MORE ACCURATE AMOUNT FOR OUR SPENDING PLAN FOR '25/26.
THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT SPIN DOWN IN A LOT OF OUR CIPS, OUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS, AND ALSO OUR JAIL PROJECT.
OUR GENERAL FUND IS THE OTHER COMPONENT TO THE BUDGET PACKAGE THAT YOU'RE REVIEWING FOR CONSIDERATION AT $812.6 MILLION, AND THAT IS 72% OF THE SPENDING PLAN.
BRINGING YOU DOWN JUST A LITTLE BIT LOWER INTO THAT SLIDE, YOU CAN SEE WHAT MAKES UP THAT GENERAL FUND, WHERE THE FUNDING SOURCES COME.
DEPARTMENTAL REVENUE COMING IN AT 73% OR 592.6% OR $592.6 MILLION, THOSE FUNDS ARE NOT DISCRETIONARY, EITHER.
THOSE ARE VERY DEDICATED TO THE PROGRAMS THAT THEY SERVE.
I WILL SAY BY AND LARGE, A LOT OF THAT COMES FROM OUR HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.
THEY ARE VERY DEDICATED TO THE PROGRAMS AND THE SCOPE OF WORK THAT WE HAVE.
A LOT OF, I WOULD SAY, PROBABLY PASS THROUGH MONEY.
THAT AREA IS WHERE THE DISCRETIONARY SPENDING COMES IN.
YOU CAN SEE THAT BOTTOM SECTION IN OUR GENERAL PURPOSE REVENUES AND OUR AVAILABLE FUND BALANCE.
$142.4 MILLION COMES IN FOR OUR GENERAL PURPOSE REVENUES.
THOSE ARE THE ONGOING FUNDING SOURCES THAT WILL BE COUNTED ON YEAR AFTER YEAR.
OUR FUND BALANCE, WHICH IS $77.6 MILLION, IS ESSENTIALLY CONSIDERED ONE TIME MONEY.
IT IS A CARRYOVER OF EITHER UNSPENT, I WE LIKE TO ATTACH IT TO ONE TIME USES.
AND SO THAT COMES IN WITH AN INCREASE OF $7 MILLION, AND WE'LL GET INTO SOME OF THE DETAILS OF THAT IN A FUTURE SLIDE WHERE THAT COMES FROM.
BY AND LARGE, THAT NET COUNTY COST REPRESENTS 20% OF THIS TOTAL SPENDING PACKAGE OR 27% OF OUR GENERAL FUND.
MOVING ON TO THOSE BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS THAT REQUIRE THE USE OF NET COUNTY COSTS, THAT DISCRETIONARY FUNDING.
YOU CAN SEE OUR LOCAL RESOURCE ADJUSTMENTS COMING IN, AT AN INCREASE OF $680,000 FOR OUR FUND BALANCE, WHERE THE MONEY GOES, WHERE THE NEEDS FOR NET COUNTY COST IN OUR BUDGET ADJUSTMENT SECTION REPRESENTS $3.7 MILLION FOR PERSONNEL COSTS.
THOSE ARE AGAIN, NET COUNTY COSTS NEEDS, NOT TOTAL, BECAUSE AGAIN, I WILL MAKE THE DISTINCTION THERE ARE OTHER AREAS THAT ARE BRINGING THEIR OWN FUNDING.
THE NON DISCRETION NOT REQUIRING NET COUNTY COSTS TO THE DEGREE THAT OTHER DEPARTMENTS THAT DON'T BRING IN THEIR OWN FUNDING WILL REQUIRE THE USE OF NET COUNTY COST.
THERE IS A DECREASE FOR OUR ASSISTANCE TO NEEDY PROGRAMMING,
[00:50:02]
WHICH REQUIRES NET COUNTY COST OF ONE POINT ALMOST $7 MILLION.WE HAVE A REDUCTION TO OUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS AT TWO POINT ALMOST $3 MILLION, REQUIRING NET COUNTY COST.
THEN WE HAVE SOME INCREASES FOR OUR PUBLIC SAFETY RADIO SYSTEM CHANGE ORDERS AT $728 MILLION, AND THEN OTHER MISCELLANEOUS CHANGES TOTALING 145.
>> PROVIDING YOU A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE FOR OUR BUDGET OVERVIEW.
YOU SEE OUR $1.2 BILLION SPENDING PACKAGE, FAR LEFT SIDE AT $310.9 MILLION FOR OUR OTHER FUNDS, REPRESENTING 28% OF THE SPENDING PACKAGE.
AS A REMINDER, AGAIN, THIS REPRESENTS THE CASTLE OPERATING AREA, ROADS, FIRE, PLANATA 20 MILLION ARPA, SPRING FAIR, AND CHILD SUPPORT.
THE LIGHTER BLUE IN THAT PIE SLICE, $812.6 MILLION IS OUR GENERAL FUND.
MOVING OVER TO THE RIGHT SIDE, YOU CAN SEE WHERE THOSE COSTS ARE SUPPORTED.
THE BRIGHT BLUE ON THE RIGHT SIDE, $592.6 MILLION ARE THE DEPARTMENTAL REVENUES.
AGAIN, NOT DISCRETIONARY, VERY SPECIFIC TO THE PROGRAMS THAT THEY SERVE.
THEN THE REMAINING TWO SLICES REPRESENT THE DISCRETIONARY FUNDING, THE NET COUNTY COST, $142.4 MILLION IN OUR GENERAL PURPOSE REVENUES, AND THE YELLOW SLICE OF 77.6 MILLION FOR OUR FUND BALANCE.
AGAIN, THAT IS 20% OF THE TOTAL FUNDING PACKAGE. THAT SUMMARIZES THAT.
WHERE DO THE FUNDS GO THAT WE INCLUDE? WHERE IS THE SPENDING NEEDS IN OUR BUDGET PACKAGE HERE? YOU SEE AT THE TOP LINE, OUR SALARIES AND BENEFITS REPRESENTS THE LARGEST SPENDING NEED IN THE PACKAGE AT $383.8 MILLION, 34.2%.
MOVING DOWN TO THE NEXT CATEGORY, YOU SEE OUR SERVICES AND SUPPLIES AT $303.1 MILLION.
THESE ARE FOR DEPARTMENTAL OPERATIONS.
IT'S EITHER SUPPLIES, IT'S CONTRACTS THAT THEY UTILIZE.
IT'S SMALL TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT THAT THEY MAY NEED THAT ARE NOT ASSETS.
THERE'S AN INCREASE OF $7.1 MILLION THERE, SOME CONTRACT INCREASES THAT WE DO SEE IN OUR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND ALSO MAYBE OUR PUBLIC SAFETY AND OUR JUSTICE AREAS.
THERE ARE OTHER CHARGES CATEGORY AT $168.2 MILLION.
OUR HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENTS UTILIZE THAT CATEGORY THE MOST.
IT IS FOR SERVICES THAT WE SEE THE REDUCTION OF $4.3 MILLION IN COW WORKS AND FOSTER CARE, THAT THERE IS A SLIGHT REDUCTION PROGRAMMED IN OUR FINAL BUDGET COMPARED TO OUR PROPOSED BUDGET PACKAGE.
WE HAVE A TRANSFERS LINE, WHICH IS A MECHANISM REALLY TO MOVE FUNDING BETWEEN OPERATING AREAS.
FOR EXAMPLE, WE HAVE CONTRIBUTIONS THAT WERE IDENTIFIED FOR OUR JAIL PROJECT FROM BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, PUBLIC HEALTH, AND AB 109, THAT MAKE UP A COMPONENT OF THAT.
THIS IS THEM PROVIDING THE FUNDING FOR A CERTAIN PROJECT.
THERE IS A DECREASE OF $9.6 MILLION HERE.
AGAIN, AS WE SAW IN THE FIRST SLIDE, THAT IS ATTRIBUTED TO THE SPEND DOWN OF OUR JAIL PROJECT, MEANING IT WAS EXHAUSTED OR EXPENSED IN OUR FISCAL YEAR 24/25, AND HENCE THE TRUE UP IN OUR FINAL BUDGET PACKAGE THAT WE SEE HERE.
CAPITAL ASSETS. THESE ARE ACTUALLY THE PROJECTS, WHETHER IT'S CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS, IF IT'S A VEHICLE, IF IT'S A PIECE OF EQUIPMENT THAT EXCEEDS A CERTAIN DOLLAR AMOUNT.
IT'S INCLUDED IN THIS CATEGORY AT $231.8 MILLION.
YOU CAN SEE THE SPEND DOWN OF $21.8 MILLION.
AGAIN, THAT IS ATTRIBUTED TO OUR JAIL PROJECT.
FOR EXAMPLE, WE SAW BETWEEN THE PERIOD OF APRIL AND JUNE.
AGAIN, SPEAKING TO THAT TRUE UP PROCESS THAT WE HAVE BETWEEN PROPOSED AND FINAL, WE HAD $8 MILLION EXHAUSTED ON OUR PHASE 1 JAIL PROJECT, AND WE HAD $12 MILLION SPENT FOR OUR PHASE 2A PROJECT FOR OUR JAIL PROJECT.
SIGNIFICANT SPENDING THAT WE SAW AS THE FISCAL YEAR WOUND DOWN.
OUR CONTINGENCIES REPRESENTED HERE ARE AT $9.7 MILLION.
OUR GENERAL FUND CARRIES A CONTINGENCY OF $6.5 MILLION.
THAT FUNDING WAS USED VERY HEAVILY WHEN WE SAW THE FLOOD EVENTS A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO.
IT'S AN EXPEDITIOUS WAY FOR US TO GET RESOURCES OUT IN THE EVENT THAT THEY ANTICIPATED NEED.
WE ALSO HAVE $3 MILLION ATTACHED HERE AS REQUIRED BY BSCC FOR OUR PHASE 1 JAIL PROJECT.
THEN WE HAVE $250,000 ATTACHED FOR OUR FIRE FUND, TOTALING OUR $1.2 BILLION SPENDING PLAN, AND YOU SEE THE TOTAL REDUCTION OF 24.9 FROM OUR PROPOSED PACKAGE.
MOVING INTO THE SOURCE OF OUR FUNDS.
THIS IS WHAT PROVIDES THE SUPPORT FOR THOSE EXPENSE CATEGORIES THAT WE JUST SAW ON THE PREVIOUS SLIDE, SORTED BY THE LARGEST CATEGORY ON THE TOP AND THE SMALLEST CATEGORY ON THE BOTTOM.
YOU CAN SEE OUR AID FROM OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES COMING IN AT $580.5 MILLION.
[00:55:05]
THIS REPRESENTS 52% OF ALL FUNDING.THERE WAS A REDUCTION OF $11.8 MILLION HERE.
THERE WERE GRANTS AND OTHER FUNDING SOURCES.
ARPA IS A BIG ONE, WHERE WE HAVE SEEN A LARGE SPIN DOWN OF COMMUNITY PROJECTS, SO THAT IS A FUNDING SOURCE THAT WE SEE AS AID FROM OTHER GOVERNMENTS.
IT WAS A FEDERAL SOURCE OF FUNDING.
THE OTHER LARGE DRIVERS IN THIS REALLY COME FROM OUR HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENTS.
THERE ARE OTHER DEPARTMENTS THAT DO CONTRIBUTE TO THIS, BUT BY AND LARGE, THAT IS THE LARGEST COMPONENT.
ON THE FAR RIGHT SIDE, I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU THE AMOUNT OF LOCAL DISCRETIONARY FUNDING THAT'S INCLUDED IN EACH OF THESE CATEGORIES.
THIS CATEGORY, WHICH IS THE LARGEST FUNDING CATEGORY, ONLY HAS $1.5 MILLION OF DISCRETIONARY FUNDING EMBEDDED IN IT.
YOU CAN SEE THAT A LOT OF THAT COMES REALLY FROM OUR SUBTENDED DEPARTMENTS, AND IT'S VERY DEDICATED FOR THEIR OTHER PURPOSES.
TAXES COMES IN AT $173 MILLION.
THERE IS NO CHANGE THERE FROM OUR PROPOSED BUDGET PACKAGE, AND WORKING WITH OUR AUDITOR CONTROLLER'S OFFICE, WE HAD IDENTIFIED THE ESTIMATES BEING SUFFICIENT BASED ON HOW OUR FISCAL YEAR END CLOSED OUT.
OF THE DISCRETIONARY FUNDING THERE, $128.7 MILLION IN LOCAL DISCRETIONARY FUNDING COMES FROM PROPERTY TAXES AND SALES TAX.
THERE ARE OTHER FUNDS THAT REPRESENT SOME OF THE OTHER TAXES IN THERE, WHICH INCLUDE OUR ROADS FUND AND OUR FIRE FUND.
THE NEXT CATEGORY WE HAVE OUR OTHER REVENUES, WHICH INCLUDES OUR OPERATING TRANSFERS IN.
THIS, AGAIN, SIMILAR TO THE PREVIOUS SLIDE, IS ANOTHER MECHANISM.
THIS IS THE FEEDING OF THE MONEY COMING IN.
THE ONE SIDE WAS PROVIDING MONEY TO SUPPORT A COST.
IN THE CASE OF THE JAIL PROJECT, THIS WOULD BE MONEY COMING IN.
THERE IS A REDUCTION OF $8.5 MILLION.
AGAIN, THAT SPIN DOWN IS A BIG PORTION OF OUR JAIL PROJECT AS WE SAW THE RELIEF OF THOSE MONIES COMING IN AND BEING EXPENSED IN 24/25.
CHARGES FOR SERVICES, 53% OF THIS CATEGORY REALLY COMES FROM OUR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
MEDICAL REIMBURSEMENTS ARE A LARGE COMPONENT TO THE REVENUES THAT THEY RECEIVE IN THAT DEPARTMENT, AND $5.6 MILLION REDUCTION IS DUE TO A RECLASSIFICATION OF REVENUE THAT WE HAD IN OUR PROPOSED BUDGET INTO OUR FINAL BUDGET, $2.9 MILLION IS REPRESENTED THERE IN DISCRETIONARY MONEY, WHICH IS ATTRIBUTED TO OUR COST ALLOCATION PLAN FACILITATED BY OUR AUDITOR CONTROLLER'S OFFICE.
THE LARGEST COMPONENT IN THIS CATEGORY IS OUR INTEREST REVENUE, $11.9 MILLION IS INCLUDED COUNTY WIDE, $5 MILLION IS IN OUR DISCRETIONARY FUNDING.
THE DIFFERENCE COMES FROM OTHER DEPARTMENTS THAT DO HOLD THEIR OWN FUND BALANCES AND EARN THEIR OWN INTEREST.
AGAIN, I WILL SAY CHILD SUPPORT, FIRE, ROADS, CASTLE, THEY WILL ALL GENERATE THEIR OWN INTEREST EARNINGS.
YOU SEE $9.4 MILLION, 2.4 MILLION OF THAT IS ATTRIBUTED TO FRANCHISE REVENUE AND OUR DISCRETIONARY FUNDING, FINES FORFEITURES AND PENALTIES AT A TOTAL OF $7.1 MILLION, 1.8 REPRESENTED IN OUR DISCRETIONARY FUNDING FROM TATER FINES, BRINGING A GRAND TOTAL OF REVENUES, $974.5 MILLION.
YOU SEE ON THE RIGHT SIDE, OUR DISCRETIONARY FUNDING OF $142.4 MILLION.
TOTAL FUND BALANCE REPRESENTED.
AGAIN, I JUST SPOKE BRIEFLY ABOUT OTHER FUNDS CARRYING THEIR OWN FUND BALANCE, 149, TEASING OUT OUR NET COUNTY COST PORTION OF THAT OR THE DISCRETIONARY PORTION FOR GENERAL FUND, $77.6 MILLION, GRAND TOTAL OF 220 MILLION IN OUR DISCRETIONARY FUNDING, AND OUR TOTAL PACKAGE OF 1.12 BILLION.
THIS SLIDE PROVIDES AN OVERVIEW OF THE BUDGET GROWTH THAT WE'VE SEEN SINCE FISCAL YEAR 14/15 UP TO OUR CURRENT PACKAGE RIGHT NOW OF 25/26.
THE GRAY BARS IN THE BACKGROUND REPRESENT THE TOTAL SPENDING NEED OR THE APPROPRIATIONS.
YOU CAN SEE THE FAR RIGHT SIDE AT $1.12 BILLION.
THAT YELLOW LINE REPRESENTS DEPARTMENTAL REVENUES.
YOU CAN SEE THE $832.1 MILLION.
ONE THING THAT I WANT TO BRING YOUR ATTENTION TO IS THAT EVERY TIME THAT YELLOW LINE MOVES, THE GRAY BARS MOVE.
YOU CAN SEE THE SIGNIFICANT IMPACT THAT THOSE OTHER FUNDING SOURCES HAVE ON OUR SPENDING PACKAGE, WHETHER IT'S ARPA, WHETHER IT'S FEDERAL AND STATE SOURCES THAT COME IN.
IT HAS THE ABILITY TO CHANGE WHAT OUR TOTAL BUDGET PACKAGE LOOKS LIKE.
AS A REMINDER, THAT YELLOW LINE IS NOT DISCRETIONARY.
IT COMES WITH ALL THE STRINGS ATTACHED.
IT IS VERY MUCH A PASS THROUGH SOURCE, AND IT IS SPECIFIC TO THE SCOPES OF WORK THAT EACH AREA ENGAGES IN.
THE BLUE LINE AT THE BOTTOM REPRESENTS OUR COUNTYWIDE REVENUES.
[01:00:02]
THOSE ARE THE GENERAL PURPOSE ONGOING REVENUES AT 142.4 BY COMPARISON.WHILE WE DO CONTINUE TO SEE GROWTH, IT IS NOT AS VOLATILE AS THAT YELLOW LINE IN THOSE GRAY BARS.
FOR PERSPECTIVE, WE HAVE THE GROWTH OF THOSE DEPARTMENTAL REVENUES FROM THE BEGINNING OF THIS CHART TO WHERE WE ARE TODAY INCLUDES $454.6 MILLION, AND THAT BLUE LINE HAS GROWN $70.5 MILLION ON THE PERSPECTIVE OF THIS CHART.
MOVING IN TO ILLUSTRATE SPENDING REQUIREMENTS VERSUS THOSE OFFSETTING FUNDINGS BY FUNCTIONAL AREA.
ON THE LEFT SIDE, YOU CAN SEE WHERE THOSE SPENDING NEEDS ARE AND WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THIS BUDGET PACKAGE FOR CONSIDERATION.
THE YELLOW SLICE REPRESENTS OUR HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, $508.7 MILLION IS WHAT THEY REQUIRE IN SPENDING NEEDS.
THE RIGHT SIDE ARE THE OFFSETTING FUNDING THAT THEY BRING TO THEIR OWN PROGRAMMING AT $498.5 MILLION OR 98% OF TOTAL COSTS.
THAT BOX IN THE MIDDLE PROVIDES THE DIFFERENCE.
YOU CAN SEE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES FOR THE YELLOW.
A DIFFERENCE OF $10.2 MILLION.
THERE IS A NEXT LINE RIGHT BELOW, WHERE IT SAYS LESS FUND BALANCE, $1.7 MILLION IS BEING TAKEN FROM THEIR OWN FUND.
THEY GENERATE THEIR OWN FUND BALANCE TO SOME DEGREE IN SOME PROGRAMS. THAT'S THAT PINK SLICE YOU SEE ON THE RIGHT SIDE.
THAT'S GOING TO CHIP AWAY FROM SOME OF THAT $71.4 MILLION.
THAT IS OUR MUNICIPAL AND COUNTYWIDE SERVICES.
SOME DEPARTMENTS INCLUDED THERE OUR LIBRARY, CASTLE, CREEK, CED, CORONER, FIRE, ROADS, AND ANIMAL CONTROL.
THEY REQUIRE $255 MILLION IN SPENDING AUTHORITY.
ON THE RIGHT SIDE, YOU WILL SEE THE OFFSETTING FUNDING THAT'S BROUGHT TO THE TABLE IS $176.5 MILLION, LEAVING A DIFFERENCE OF 78.5 MILLION.
THEY ALSO BRING $29.2 MILLION IN THEIR OWN FUND BALANCE, THAT PINK SLICE REQUIRING $49.3 MILLION TO THEN BE TAKEN FROM, WHICH I THINK I SKIPPED ON THE YELLOW PORTION, BUT THE CONCEPT WILL REMAIN THE SAME.
THE GREEN SLICE AND THE PURPLE SLICE ARE THE DISCRETIONARY FUNDING.
THE SAME CONCEPT WILL REMAIN AS WE MOVE THROUGH THE NEXT SLICES.
YOU CAN SEE OUR PUBLIC SAFETY AND JUSTICE AREA AT $188.8 MILLION.
ON THE RIGHT SIDE, THEY BRING IN $74.6 MILLION IN FUNDING LEAVING A DIFFERENCE OF $114.2 MILLION BEING PULLED FROM THAT GREEN AND THAT PURPLE SLICE OF DISCRETIONARY FUNDING.
THE LAST CATEGORY THAT WE SEE ARE SUPPORT SERVICES AND CIPS, DEPARTMENTS INCLUDED HERE, NOT ONLY ARE OUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS, BUT OUR JAIL PROJECT, OUR GENERAL FUND CONTINGENCY, THE $6.5 MILLION THAT WE JUST SPOKE ABOUT, LONG TERM FACILITIES, CENTRAL SERVICE DEPARTMENTS, OUR ASSESSOR, TREASURE, TAX COLLECTOR, REGISTRAR OF VOTERS.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THEIR SPENDING NEEDS OF 171 MILLION, AND THE FUNDING THAT THEY BRING OF $82.5 MILLION IS 88.5 MILLION.
THEY DO HAVE FUND BALANCE OF 40.5 THAT THEY WILL PROVIDE FROM THAT PINK SLICE LEAVING A NEED OF 48 MILLION BETWEEN THAT GREEN AND THAT PURPLE SLICE.
THE POINT OF THIS SLIDE IS TO SHOW HOW EACH OF THESE FUNCTIONAL AREAS HAVE SPENDING NEEDS AND WHAT AMOUNT THEY MAY BRING TO THE TABLE, WHETHER IT'S FROM ONE OF THOSE SLICES ON THE RIGHT SIDE OR THAT PINK SLICE OF THEIR OWN FUND BALANCE.
THEN, HOW EACH OF THOSE FUNCTIONAL AREAS ARE COMPETING EACH EQUALLY WITH THOSE GREEN AND PURPLE SLICES.
OF THE 20% OF THE TOTAL SPENDING PACKAGE, THOSE GREEN AND PURPLE SIZES HAVE TO BE SPLIT AMONGST ALL OF THOSE DEPARTMENTS, COUNTYWIDE.
ONE MORE THING. I WILL SAY THAT THOSE DISCRETIONARY FUNDS ALSO, THEY HAVE TO BE CONSIDERED NOT ONLY FOR BOARD PRIORITIES, BUT ALSO MANDATES.
THERE ARE PROGRAMS THAT DO REQUIRE THE BOARD TO CONTRIBUTE SOME OF THAT DISCRETIONARY FUNDING INTO MANDATED PROGRAMS, SUCH AS SOME OF OUR HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AS WE MAY SEE IN A FUTURE SLIDE.
THERE IS MAINTENANCE OF EFFORT REQUIREMENTS THAT IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN A PROGRAM, WE DO HAVE TO CONTRIBUTE THOSE LOCAL RESOURCES.
IT'S NOT JUST BOARD OR COMMUNITY PRIORITIES, BUT THERE ARE MANDATES THAT COME FROM THOSE GREEN AND PURPLE SLICES.
MOVING ON TO PROVIDE SPENDING AUTHORITY BY EACH FUNCTIONAL AREA IN A MULTI YEAR VIEW AND OVERLAYING THAT GENERAL PURPOSE REVENUE THAT WE SAW, I THINK IT WAS THE PURPLE SLICE ON THE PREVIOUS SLIDE.
ON THE FAR RIGHT SIDE, YOU CAN SEE OUR HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.
THEY ARE BY FAR THE LARGEST AREA OF SPENDING REQUIREMENTS, $508.7 MILLION IN THIS SPENDING PACKAGE.
YOU CAN SEE BARELY A LITTLE RED SLICE AT THE BOTTOM.
THEY ARE REQUIRING 2.8 MILLION OF THOSE GENERAL PURPOSE REVENUES, THAT PURPLE SLICE.
AGAIN, TO THE POINT OF THE MAINTENANCE OF EFFORT REQUIREMENTS, ETC.
MOVING A LITTLE BIT TO THE LEFT,
[01:05:01]
YOU SEE OUR MUNICIPAL AND COUNTYWIDE SERVICES DEPARTMENTS COMING IN AT $255 MILLION AND UTILIZING $14.3 MILLION OF THOSE ONGOING GENERAL PURPOSE REVENUES.THERE IS A SLIGHT INCREASE FROM OUR PREVIOUS FISCAL YEAR, WHICH REPRESENTS OUR ROADS AND CASTLE AREAS.
THERE ARE SOME HIGHER PROGRAMMING OF ROADS AND BRIDGE PROJECTS, AS WELL AS SOME PROJECTS AT OUR CASTLE AREA THAT WE HAVE INCLUDED IN THIS SPENDING PACKAGE.
BEING A LITTLE MORE TO THE LEFT.
YOU SEE OUR PUBLIC SAFETY AND JUSTICE SYSTEM, A TOTAL OF $188.8 MILLION IN SPENDING NEEDS FOR THIS PACKAGE, AND USING $111.3 MILLION IN THOSE ONGOING GENERAL PURPOSE REVENUES, WHICH THIS AREA IS BY FAR THE HIGHEST UTILIZER OF THOSE ONGOING REVENUES.
FOR THIS TO THE LEFT, YOU SEE OUR SUPPORT SERVICES AND CIPS.
THERE IS 171 INCLUDED HERE IN THIS FUNCTIONAL AREA.
THE SPIN DOWN, AS YOU SEE, I'VE MENTIONED BEFORE, COMES FROM BY ENLARGE THE JAIL PROJECT, AND THEN THE UTILIZATION OF THOSE ONGOING GENERAL PURPOSE REVENUES IS AT $14 MILLION.
>> SUMMARIZING WHAT WE JUST TALKED ABOUT, WHICH AREA THOSE GENERAL-PURPOSE REVENUES GO? YOU SEE 78% OF IT GOES TO OUR PUBLIC SAFETY AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENTS, 2% GOES TO OUR HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENTS.
AGAIN, FOR THAT MAINTENANCE OF EFFORT REQUIREMENT OR MATCHING REQUIREMENTS, WE HAVE 10% FOR OUR SUPPORT SERVICES AND 10% FOR OUR MUNICIPAL COUNTY-WIDE.
THIS NEXT SLIDE REPRESENTS THE ACTUAL PERFORMANCE OF OUR BUDGET, SEVERAL OF THE MOST RECENT FISCAL YEARS, BUT AS OF 24/25 ON THE FAR RIGHT SIDE, YOU CAN SEE, THE YELLOW LINE REPRESENTS OUR REVENUES AT $626 MILLION.
THIS IS WHERE WE ENDED AS OF JUNE 30, 2025, ACCORDING TO FINALIZED FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS FROM OUR AUDITOR CONTROLLER'S OFFICE.
THEN WE HAVE OUR EXPENDITURE LINE WITH THE BLUE COMING IN AT $628 MILLION.
THERE WAS A DEFICIT OF $2.2 MILLION.
I WILL SHARE WITH YOU THAT WE HAD ALSO ESTIMATED THAT WE WOULD COME IN AT $2.2 MILLION.
I ATTRIBUTE THAT ACCURATE ESTIMATE TO THE NEW MID-YEAR ANALYSIS PROCESS THAT WE HAVE IMPLEMENTED.
OUR DEPARTMENTS HAVE DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB AT RESPONDING TO THAT NEED, AND IT REALLY DOES HELP US TO PLAN BETTER.
AS YOU CAN SEE, THERE ISN'T A LOT OF VOLATILITY OR MAJOR CHANGES IN THIS, OF THE FINAL BUDGET PACKAGE.
IT'S REALLY ATTRIBUTED TO SOME OF THE SPIN-DOWN THAT WE SEE IN PROJECTS.
BUT I WILL SAY THAT THE ABILITY TO ACCURATELY ESTIMATE HELPS US PROVIDE A MORE STABLE AND THOUGHTFUL PACKAGE FOR THE BOARD'S CONSIDERATION AS WE MOVE FROM PROPOSED TO FINAL BUDGET.
THE INCREASES THAT WE HAVE HERE IN OUR EXPENDITURE LINE IS AN INCREASE OF $17 MILLION FROM THE PREVIOUS FISCAL YEAR.
THOSE INCREASES IN EXPENDITURES ARE REPRESENTED FROM WAGE INCREASES THAT WE SAW.
THIS REPRESENTS A FULL FISCAL YEAR OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY WAGE INCREASES OF 10% THAT WE SAW LAST YEAR.
WE ALSO HAVE INSURANCE CAP INCREASES THAT WERE IMPLEMENTED FOR ALL COUNTY EMPLOYEES LAST YEAR.
THERE ARE INCREASED NUMBER OF POSITIONS.
AS YOU KNOW, WE WILL ADD POSITIONS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND WITHIN EACH BUDGET PACKAGE.
THEN, WE ALSO HAVE JAIL PROJECT AND FIRE CONTRIBUTIONS THAT ARE DRIVING THE GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES THAT THE BOARD HAD COMMITTED ONE ONE-TIME CONTRIBUTION TO THE JAIL PROJECT AND ONGOING FOR OUR FIRE STAFFING ENHANCEMENTS.
REVENUES, WE SAW AN INCREASE OF $14 MILLION, REALLY STEMMING FROM OUR STATE AND FEDERAL SOURCES, FLASHING BACK TO THAT ONE SLIDE, WHERE I SAID, THE YELLOW LINE IS REALLY THE DRIVER.
YOU CAN SEE THAT THAT CONTINUES TO GO UP, AND THAT REALLY IS THE DRIVER OF ON THIS SLIDE, AS WELL, THE INCREASE OF REVENUES THAT WE SEE.
MOVING ON TO OUR FUND BALANCE.
THE SLIDE THAT WE JUST DISCUSSED IS A BIG DRIVER OF HOW OUR FUND BALANCE ENDS UP EACH FISCAL YEAR.
THERE ARE OTHER FACTORS, BUT I CAN SAY THAT AS THE FISCAL YEAR CLOSES OUT, WHETHER THERE'S A SURPLUS OR A DEFICIT, THAT WILL ALSO IMPACT THE AVAILABILITY OF FUND BALANCE.
ON THE FAR RIGHT SIDE, YOU CAN SEE OUR 24/25 CLOSE OUT.
THAT BLUE BAR ON THE VERY BOTTOM IS AT $77.6 MILLION.
THAT WAS INCREASED SLIGHTLY FROM OUR PROPOSED BUDGET BY $0.7 MILLION.
IF YOU FOLLOW ME UP THAT BAR, YOU SEE 15 MILLION IN THE YELLOW SLICE.
THAT WAS REDUCED BY $0.7 MILLION.
AGAIN, I WANT TO STRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF THESE ARE OUR ENCUMBRANCES.
AS THE BOARD MAKES APPROVALS FOR PROJECTS, AS DEPARTMENTS ENGAGE IN CONTRACTS, THEY WILL UTILIZE PURCHASE ORDERS.
[01:10:02]
IF WE HAVE A LOT OF PURCHASE ORDERS OUT THERE, IT LOCKS UP THAT FUND BALANCE.WE DID SEE MORE OF A REDUCTION IN THOSE PURCHASE ORDERS THAN WE HAD ANTICIPATED, WHICH IS GOOD NEWS, GIVING US MORE SPENDING POWER IN THAT AVAILABLE FUND BALANCE SECTION.
YOU CAN SEE THE GREEN SLICE THERE AT $45.1 MILLION.
THAT'S THE GENERAL FUND RESERVES.
THERE IS A SLIDE COMING UP THAT WE WILL UNPACK MORE DETAILS ABOUT THAT, BUT AT THIS TIME, THERE IS NO CHANGE TO THAT FOR THIS BUDGET PACKAGE.
THERE'S A TINY BIT AT THE VERY TOP, WHICH IS NON-SPENDABLE.
THAT REALLY CONSISTS OF INVENTORIES OR PREPAID EXPENSES.
BUT THAT INCREASED SLIGHTLY, BUT IT COMES IN AT $1.6 MILLION, BRINGING A TOTAL FUND BALANCE OF 139.3 MILLION.
MOVING ON TO HOW OUR COSTS ARE FUNDED WITHIN THE GENERAL FUND.
ON THE LEFT SIDE, YOU CAN SEE ONE TIME NET COUNTY COST NEEDS.
THESE ARE COSTS THAT DO NOT HAVE ANY OTHER FUNDING SOURCE TO COVER THEM.
IT IS COVERED BY FUND BALANCE OF $33.6 MILLION.
ONE TIME COSTS MIGHT REPRESENT THE PURCHASE OF AN ASSET.
IT MIGHT BE A CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT, AND THIS IS WHAT WE WANT TO DO.
WE WANT TO UTILIZE OUR FUND BALANCE ON ONE TIME COSTS BECAUSE FUND BALANCE IS REPRESENTED AS ONE TIME MONEY, AND SO IF WE'RE APPLYING IT TO ONE TIME COSTS, THEN THAT'S AN APPROPRIATE USE.
MOVING TO THAT MIDDLE SLICE, YOU CAN SEE ONGOING NEEDS.
THE BOTTOM PORTION OF $142.4 MILLION.
THAT IS THE COUNTY-WIDE REVENUES.
THOSE ARE THE GENERAL-PURPOSE ONGOING FUNDS THAT WE SEE IN OUR GENERAL FUND AND USING THOSE TO FUND ONGOING COSTS IS APPROPRIATE.
IT'S ITEMS SUCH AS OUR SALARIES AND BENEFITS, IT'S CONTRACTS, IT'S OTHER OPERATING COSTS THAT DEPARTMENTS HAVE THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO SEE YEAR AFTER YEAR.
THE TOP SECTION THAT WE SEE, 44 MILLION BEING COVERED BY FUND BALANCE.
THAT IS AN AREA THAT WE'RE USING ONE TIME MONEY TO SUPPORT ONGOING COSTS.
I KNOW SUPERVISOR SILA HAS MENTIONED BEFORE THAT IF EVERY PENNY WAS SPENT IN THE PACKAGE THAT WAS SAID IT WOULD BE SPENT, THIS IS THE AREA THAT WE WOULD BE CONCERNED WITH.
BECAUSE THAT MEANS THAT THERE IS MONEY THAT WOULD BE EXHAUSTED, THAT ISN'T NECESSARILY GUARANTEED TO BE REPLENISHED.
THEN MOVING TO THE RIGHT SIDE, YOU CAN SEE THE GRAND TOTAL OF $220 MILLION OF NET COUNTY COSTS, OUR 77.6 MILLION IN FUND BALANCE, AND THEN THE BOTTOM SECTION OF 142.4 IN ONGOING GENERAL PURPOSE REVENUES.
I HAD MENTIONED A COUPLE SLIDES PREVIOUS.
THIS IS BASED ON BOARD POLICY.
WE HAVE IT HELD AT $45.1 MILLION.
THERE IS NO CHANGE HERE REPRESENTED FOR OUR '25 - '26 BUDGET PACKAGE.
THERE IS A BOARD POLICY THAT ESTABLISHES THAT WE WOULD FALL WITHIN SEVEN TO 12% OF A THREE-YEAR AVERAGE OF GENERAL FUND REVENUES.
45.1 MILLION PUTS US AT 7.5%, SO WE ARE ON THE LOWER END OF THE RANGE.
THERE IS NO ADDITION TO THIS RAINY DAY FUND.
I KNOW THAT THERE HAS BEEN THOUGHTS BEFORE THAT THERE WAS JUST AUTOMATIC CONTRIBUTIONS.
IT ONLY HAPPENS IF, IN FACT, THERE IS EXCESS MONEY TO BE ABLE TO BE PUT IN THERE, IF IT'S A BOARD PRIORITY, ETC.
I JUST WANT TO REPRESENT MAYBE THE SPENDING POWER THAT THIS RAINY DAY FUND HAS $45.1 MILLION, REPRESENTS 5.6% OF THE GENERAL FUNDS TOTAL SPENDING AUTHORITY IN OUR 25 26 BUDGET PACKAGE.
THE CURRENT AVERAGE MONTHLY COST OF OUR TOTAL GENERAL FUND OPERATIONS AS OF JUNE 2025 WAS $52.3 MILLION.
YOU CAN SEE THAT THAT WOULDN'T QUITE GET US A FULL MONTH OF TOTAL COSTS.
THE INFORMATION THAT I'M TRYING TO PORTRAY HERE IS THAT IF, IN FACT, THERE WERE NO OTHER RESOURCES TO COME IN, AND IF WE WERE TO UTILIZE THIS, THAT WOULD COVER NOT QUITE A MONTH'S WORTH OF COSTS.
SALARIES AND BENEFITS, I WILL SHARE, AS OF JUNE 2025, THOSE AMOUNTED TO $22.6 MILLION, SO IT WOULD ONLY COME UP TO ABOUT TWO MONTHS' WORTH OF SPENDING POWER IF WE HAD TO UTILIZE THAT TO COVER SALARIES AND BENEFITS.
MOVING INTO OUR COUNTY-WIDE POSITIONS.
YOU CAN SEE OUR 25/26 PACKAGE INCLUDES 2,513 POSITIONS.
IN THE GENERAL FUND, THERE IS 2,283.
THE TREND HERE SHOWS THE EBB AND FLOW THROUGHOUT THE FISCAL YEARS.
IN ANOTHER ITEM THAT THE BOARD WILL CONSIDER TODAY, THERE ARE ADJUSTMENTS.
YOU CAN SEE AN INCREASE OF 47 POSITIONS FROM THE LAST FISCAL YEAR PACKAGE.
WE HAVE TWO THAT WERE APPROVED THROUGHOUT THE FISCAL YEAR LAST YEAR.
WE HAVE SEVEN THAT WERE INCLUDED AT PROPOSED.
WE HAD ONE POSITION CONSIDERED IN JULY AND APPROVED BY THE BOARD,
[01:15:02]
AND WE HAVE 38 IN THIS CURRENT PACKAGE.MOVING ON TO THE FUNCTIONAL AREA, YOU CAN SEE WHERE THOSE POSITIONS ARE BROKEN DOWN.
THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES IS THE LARGEST AREA, AT 1,406 POSITIONS, WITH A NET INCREASE OF NINE POSITIONS IN THIS PACKAGE.
OUR MUNICIPAL AND COUNTY-WIDE DEPARTMENTS HOLDS 240 POSITIONS WITH AN INCREASE OF EIGHT.
OUR PUBLIC SAFETY HOLDS 497 POSITIONS WITH A NET INCREASE OF 17.
JUSTICE AT 107 WITH A NET INCREASE OF TWO, AND OUR SUPPORT SERVICES AT 205 WITH A NET INCREASE OF TWO.
NO CHANGES FOR OUR INTERNAL SERVICE FUNDS HELD AT 58.
I WILL RETURN TO CEO HENDRICKSON.
>> THANK YOU, VANESSA. ACTUALLY, IN CLOSING, JUST WANT TO OFFER FOR THE BOARD AND TO THE COMMUNITY A HANDFUL OF QUICK POINTS.
AGAIN, THIS IS A $1.12 BILLION PROPOSED BUDGET THAT IS FOCUSED ON FISCAL STABILITY, WHICH HAS LONG BEEN A STRATEGIC PRIORITY OF THIS BOARD.
AS JUST MENTIONED, THIS PLAN DOES RECOMMEND, HOWEVER, INVESTING $45.1 MILLION IN RESERVES TO PREPARE THE COUNTY FOR THE UNFORESEEN.
TWO, REGARDING WATER AND FLOOD PREVENTION, I WOULD ABSOLUTELY LIKE TO COMPLIMENT OUR PUBLIC WORKS TEAM FOR THE WORK THAT THEY HAVE BEEN UNDERTAKING IN THIS REGARD.
THIS CONTINUES TO BE AN AREA OF FOCUS RELATED TO DEBRIS REMOVAL AND COMBATING FUTURE DISASTERS.
THREE, THIS BOARD HAS LONG BEEN A CHAMPION FOR PUBLIC SAFETY.
AS MENTIONED DURING THE PRESENTATION, NEARLY 80% OF WHAT IT HAS IN TERMS OF DISCRETIONARY RESOURCES ARE DEDICATED TO PUBLIC SAFETY AND JUSTICE.
THIS CONTINUES TO BE THE BOARD'S HIGHEST PRIORITY, AND YOUR FINAL BUDGET REFLECTS THIS.
FOUR, WE ARE MODESTLY GROWING THE NUMBER OF COUNTY-WIDE POSITIONS, AND AGAIN, BEING REFLECTIVE OF THE NEED TO STAY WITHIN OUR MEANS.
THAT SET OF THE POSITIONS BEING RECOMMENDED, 17 POSITIONS WILL ENHANCE THE EFFORTS OF OUR PUBLIC SAFETY PROFESSIONALS, AND 13 OF THOSE 17 ARE CORRECTIONAL POSITIONS THAT WILL SUPPORT THE OPERATIONS OF THE NEW JAIL AS IT GETS ONLINE IN THE COMING MONTHS.
I'D ALSO LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO ACTUALLY HIGHLIGHT A COUPLE OF OTHER RECOMMENDED POSITIONS THAT YOU WILL CONSIDER LATER THAT WILL SPECIFICALLY TARGET AND ENFORCE AGAINST ILLEGAL FOOD VENDORS, WHICH POSE A PUBLIC HEALTH THREAT TO OUR COMMUNITY.
I LIKE TO ACTUALLY ACKNOWLEDGE AND THANK OUR DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, MARK MIMMS, AND HIS ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH TEAM FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP ON THIS ISSUE.
THEN LASTLY, REGARDING INFRASTRUCTURE AND FACILITIES, THE BOARD HAS AGAIN, LONG DEMONSTRATED A STRONG COMMITMENT TO ADVANCING PROJECTS LIKE PARKS, ROADS, AND OTHER CAPITAL PROJECTS DESIGNED TO BENEFIT OUR COMMUNITIES AND TO ADDRESS FACILITY NEEDS, SECURITY CONCERNS, AND SAFETY.
THIS FINAL BUDGET REFLECTS YOUR COMMITMENT ACCORDINGLY.
NOW, IN CLOSING, THE BUDGET PROCESS IS A LENGTHY ONE AND REQUIRES A GREAT DEAL OF HARD WORK AND COLLABORATION OVER THE COURSE OF MANY MONTHS.
I'D LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK OUR AUDITOR CONTROL, LISA CARDA PRESTO, OUR ASSISTANT CEO, MARCY PEREIRA, DEPUTY CEO VANESSA ANDERSON, DEPUTY CEO SOMMER MONIZ, OUR OUTSTANDING GROUP OF DEPARTMENT HEADS AND THEIR FISCAL TEAMS, OUR BUDGET OFFICE, WHO, I THINK, DID AN EXTRAORDINARY JOB, AS WELL AS OUR HR TEAM FOR THEIR EXCEPTIONAL WORK.
WITH THAT BEING SAID, MR. CHAIRMAN, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, I RESPECTFULLY SUBMIT TO YOU THE FISCAL YEAR 25/26 FINAL BUDGET FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
[NOISE] AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE FINAL BUDGET PRESENTATION.
AS A REMINDER, PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON ITEMS INCLUDED ON THE BUDGET CALENDAR WILL BE HEARD AFTER EACH ITEM IS ANNOUNCED AND IF APPLICABLE PRESENTATION OF THE ITEMS. THIS IS JUST ABOUT THE PRESENTATION AND THE BUDGET THAT WAS PRESENTED RIGHT NOW.
I'LL GO AHEAD AND OPEN UP THE PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> GOOD MORNING, BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, MERCED COUNTY STAFF, AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
I AM ROSEN GUANO AND I'M LIVING DISTRICT 2.
I'M A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER WITH COMMUNITIES FOR A NEW CALIFORNIA, A LOCAL COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATION.
AS THE BOARDING SUPERVISORS COUNTY STAFF ALREADY KNOW, CNC STAFF AND CNC VOLUNTEERS HAVE BEEN MEETING AND TALKING WITH THE BOARD ABOUT THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING CRISIS WE AND OUR NEIGHBORS FACE DAILY.
ON JUNE 17, WHEN THE PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 2025/2026 BUDGET FOR MERCED COUNTY WAS FIRST INTRODUCED, CNC, ITS MEMBERS AND ALLIES, SHARE POLLING FROM THE 2023 AND HAKI VALLEY PEAK SURVEY, WHERE NEARLY 42% OF RESPONSE CITE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AS HAVING MOST NEGATIVELY IMPACTED HOUSEHOLDS.
[01:20:03]
CNC, ITS MEMBERS AND ALLIES COMBINED THAT THE 1.5 MILLION ALLOCATED FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAM DID NOT REFLECT THE CURRENT HOUSING CRISIS.CNC, ITS MEMBERS, AND ALLIES, SHARE INTIMATE DETAILS ABOUT THEIR LIVES AND HOW THEY'RE STRUGGLING TO PUT THE ROOF OVER THEIR HEADS AND SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES.
CNC, ITS MEMBERS, AND ALLIES, VOICE THEIR DREAMS TO OWN A HOME, AND THEY COULD CREATE FINANCIAL SECURITY FOR THE FAMILIES.
CNC, ITS MEMBERS, AND ALLIES, WANT TO INVEST MORE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, SCHOOLS, AND ROADS, AND CAN DO THIS WHEN THE COUNTY COMMITS TO ADDRESSING THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING CRISIS BY INCREASING AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAMS BUDGET AND PROVIDING MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC INPUT TO THE BUDGET PROCESS.
MY NEIGHBORS WILL NOW SHARE A BIT MORE ABOUT HOW WE NEED YOUR HELP TO ADDRESS THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING CRISIS IN MERCED COUNTY.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.
>> JUST AS A REMINDER, PUBLIC COMMENT IS THREE MINUTES, SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE.
>> MY NAME IS ANNALISA VARGAS, AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT 2, AND I AM ALSO AN ORGANIZER WITH COMMUNITIES FOR NEW CALIFORNIA.
THE FIRST BUDGET, HEARING CNC, HAS CONTINUED TO REACH OUT TO THE BOARD ABOUT ONE INCREASING THE BUDGET TO THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAM IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026.
MERCED COUNTY BUDGET, AND ALSO PROVIDING MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC INPUT.
BEFORE I PROVIDE A BRIEF UPDATE OF OUR MEETINGS, I WANT TO THANK EACH OF THE SUPERVISORS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO MEET WITH US, ANSWER OUR QUESTIONS AND TALK MORE ABOUT THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING CRISIS.
THIS IS A WICKED, TRICKY PROBLEM, AND WE ARE COMMITTED TO HELPING THE COUNTY ADDRESS IT.
THE COUNTY STAFF HAS BEEN SO INCREDIBLE AND RESPONSIVE.
MANY OF US HAVE BEEN PUBLIC SERVANTS LIKE MYSELF, SO WE UNDERSTAND THE STRESS AND RESPONSIBILITY YOU FEEL ON A DAILY BASIS.
THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO.
ALTHOUGH NO SUPERVISOR HAS COMMITTED TO INCREASING THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING BUDGET, I'M PLEASED TO SHARE THAT SUPERVISOR PEDROSO HAS COMMITTED TO INCREASING PUBLIC INPUT BY HOSTING A FUTURE BUDGET WORKSHOP.
ALSO, ADDRESSING THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING CRISIS BY COLLABORATING MORE WITH GOVERNMENT JURISDICTIONS LIKE WHIP CITY, MAYOR SERRATO, AND ALSO ENGAGING WITH NONPROFIT LIFT TO RISE, WHICH IS HELPING THE CACHALA VALLEY REACH ITS GOAL OF ADDING NEARLY 10,000 UNITS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING BY 2028, AND HELP IDENTIFYING FUNDING GAPS THROUGH A REVOLVING LOAN FUND.
SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA HAS COMMITTED TO ADDRESSING THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING CRISIS BY COLLABORATING MORE WITH OTHER GOVERNMENT JURISDICTIONS LIKE MERCED CITY MAYOR SERRATO, AND ALSO CONTINUING TO ENGAGE WITH THE NONPROFIT LIFT TO RISE.
HE HAS ALREADY MET WITH CNC AND LIFT TO RISE TOGETHER BACK IN JUNE, AND IN THE NEAR FUTURE, WE'LL HAVE MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO CONTINUE COLLABORATING AND MEETING WITH LIFT TO RISE STAFF.
ALSO, SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL HAS COMMITTED TO PRIORITIZE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, ALTHOUGH IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO IDENTIFY IN WHAT WAY THIS WILL HAPPEN.
IN TERMS OF SUPERVISOR PACHECO BARRERA, NEITHER HAS YET COMMITTED TO EITHER ANY STEPS THAT WOULD HELP ADDRESS THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING CRISIS OR INCREASE PUBLIC INPUT, BUT WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING CONVERSATIONS AND COLLABORATING.
LASTLY, I JUST WANT TO MENTION THAT I KNOW AT THE MEETING ON JUNE 17TH, YOU MENTIONED THE DIFFERENT PROJECTS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
AS A RECOMMENDATION, MAYBE IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO POST THOSE OR TO PUBLICIZE THEM MORE, AND ALSO NOT ONLY COMPLETED PROJECTS, BUT THOSE THAT ARE IN BEING CONSTRUCTED AND ALSO PERHAPS FUTURE PROJECTS THAT CAN BE POSTED ON THE MERCED COUNTY WEBSITE. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT ONE OF MERCED CITY.
MY FAMILY AND I CAME TO THIS COUNTY 10 YEARS AGO, IN SEARCH OF A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE FOR MYSELF AND FOR MY FAMILY.
THE COST OF LIVING AT THE TIME WAS VERY ACCESSIBLE AT THE TIME.
[01:25:02]
ALTHOUGH NOW IT REPRESENTS A VERY TOUGH CHALLENGE FOR MY FAMILY, SUCH AS MYSELF.THAT'S BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF OPPORTUNITIES OF WORK IN THE AREA.
CAT IS A BIG PROBLEM TO BE ABLE TO COVER THE COSTS OF LIVING FOR MYSELF AND OTHERS.
I'M HERE BECAUSE I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE AMOUNT BEING DISTRIBUTED TO THE COST OF LIVING OF AFFORDABLE LIVING OF 1.5 MILLION IN COMPARISON TO THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT OF 54 MILLION.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE FOR THERE TO BE MORE OPPORTUNITIES SO THAT THE COMMUNITY CAN ALSO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROCESS.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ADD THAT WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO USE THE PROPOSAL AND THIS CRISIS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING SO THAT I'M ABLE TO SOLIDIFY A GOOD FUTURE FOR MYSELF AND FOR MY FAMILY OR CHILDREN IN THE FUTURE.
THIS WOULD BE A REALLY GOOD STRATEGIC INVESTMENT, SO THAT IT WOULD BENEFIT MY FAMILY AND OTHER FAMILIES IN MERCED, SUCH AS MY NEIGHBORS, TO BE A PROPRIETOR IN IN THIS AREA, ESPECIALLY IN THE AREA OF BEING ABLE TO OWN A HOME WOULD REFLECT BETTER TO BE ABLE TO CONSTRUCT THE SCHOOLS AND OTHER SERVICES THAT ARE VERY IMPORTANT.
MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING WOULD SIGNIFICANTLY HELP LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND YOU WOULD BE BETTER SUPPORTED.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS AMANDA REISS, AND I AM A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT 5 OF THE COUNTY MERCED.
I'VE BEEN LIVING IN LOS BANOS FOR 16 YEARS NOW.
I'M MARRIED WITH FOUR CHILDREN MY SITUATION, REGARDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING, IS CONSISTENT WITH THAT I LIVE IN A MOBILE HOME WHERE I AM THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY OR THE LAND.
THIS IS WHAT WAS MOST ACCESSIBLE TO ME AND MY FAMILY AT THE TIME, BUT SINCE THE PANDEMIC, THE COSTS HAVE BEEN RISING, ESPECIALLY THE RENT, AND IT'S ANNUALLY, AND THERE'S NO LAW AVAILABLE THAT PROTECTS US FROM THAT.
I WOULD LIKE FOR THE PROPOSAL TO INCLUDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE FOLLOWING WAY:
[01:30:01]
THE ACCEPTED PROPOSAL OF THE 1.5 MILLION TOWARDS AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMPARED TO THE 54 MILLION THAT WAS ALLOCATED TOWARDS THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, AND ALSO FOR THERE TO BE MORE OPPORTUNITIES SO THAT THE PUBLIC CAN BE A PART OF THE PROPOSAL PROCESS.IN REGARDS OF THE PARTICIPATION TO THE PUBLIC, I WOULD LIKE TO RECOMMEND TO THE SUPERVISORS TO ORGANIZE IN THE FUTURE A WORKSHOP WHERE WE CAN GO OVER THE PROPOSALS A PART.
THEN I ALSO HAVE TWO OTHER WORKSHOPS OR COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES WHERE WE CAN PARTICIPATE IN THAT WORKSHOP.
I UNDERSTAND THAT THE PROPOSAL IS SOMETHING THAT IS TAKING PLACE THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE YEAR.
I WOULD SUGGEST THAT WE PLAN THE FOLLOWING.
THAT THOSE WORKSHOPS WOULD TAKE PLACE IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY.
IN APRIL, WE WOULD SET UP A MEETING BEFORE THE PROPOSAL THAT WOULD BE TAKING PLACE IN JULY.
JUNE IS WHEN THE MERCED COUNTY MAKES PUBLIC THE PROPOSAL IN JULY BEFORE THAT THE PROPOSAL IS FINALIZED, AND THE SUPPLEMENTARY TO SEPTEMBER.
IN SEPTEMBER, THE COUNTY MERCED PROPOSES A SUPPLEMENTARY PROPOSAL.
THERE ARE NUMEROUS BENEFITS IN OPENING UP THE PARTICIPATION TO THE PUBLIC : TO BETTER THE EFFICIENCY AND THE CONFIDENCE, AND I WOULD BE MORE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT BEING ABLE TO RESOLVE THESE PROBLEMS AS A JOINT SO THAT WE COULD GO OVER THE PROBLEMS RESIDENTS ARE FACING IN MERCED, WHICH WOULD BE HOUSING.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.
MY TABLE BOARD SUPERVISORS, MY NAME IS BLANCA LOZANO.
I AM DISTRICT 4 WITH MR. LOPERERA.
I HAVE POSITION LEADERSHIP DIFFERENCE AREAS, ONE SPECIAL MAC, CNC VOLUNTEER, AND I HAVE MY GROUP DELHI IN ACTION AND PTI.
I WANT TO MAKE A PER RECORD THAT I LIKE TO BOARD FIRST, INCREASE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAM BUDGET.
PROPER SENSE ACCEPTANCE THAT WAS 1,005,8670 VERSUS SHERIFFS 54A4792, PROVIDE MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC AND PART TO THE BUDGET PROCESS.
ALSO WANT TO ADDRESS TO SOME COMMENTS ADHERE TO THE BOARD MEETING JUNE MERCED COUNTY VIDEO 234 TIME IT.
I THOUGHT I REALLY CAN'T DO MOST TO BORE UNIFY TO THE WATER COUNTY STAFF LATER REGARDS TO THE BUDGET.
IT'S EVIDENT THAT HEAVY HOW TO GET FINISHED TO GET PROBABLY MUCH HEAVIER FULLY UNDERSTAND.
I MENTIONED THAT I WAS A LIKE DRINKING FROM WATER HOST.
SANC MEMBERS AND ALIENS, ASK FOR MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND TRANSPARENCY, IT IS NOT MAKE YOUR JOBS MORE COMPLICATED.
IT'S ACTUALLY THE HOPE TO MAKING THIS PROCESS EASIER FOR EVERYONE.
FOR YOU HERE, ME ISSUES ARE NEEDED FOR THE LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR CHALLENGE FOR THE WORKING TOGETHER,
[01:35:04]
SOLUTIONS AND PROCESSES THAT IS WELCOME TO HOME CONTRIBUTE TO THE COUNTRY REVENUES.GIVEN THE PUBLIC WANT TO REVIEW COMPLEX BUDGET OVER 600 PAGES, THE NAME TRANSPARENCY IS NO GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICES.
YOU HAVE TO GENEROUS MEET WITH A 0.2 AROUND TWO [INAUDIBLE].
BUT WE REALIZED DURING THE MEETING, WE DO THAT CURRENT PROCESS WORKING FOR US NOT BECAUSE YOU WERE PROVIDING INFORMATION.
WE DIDN'T WANT TO HEAR, BUT BECAUSE WE NEVER RECEIVED RESPONSE.
MEETING WHEN CNC MEMBERS ASKING HOW MUCH TO THE GENERAL FUND WILL BE ALLOCATING TO THE AFFORD HOUSING PROGRAM.
BUT RESPOND SAYING, I DON'T KNOW.
ANOTHER MY MEETING WHEN THE CNC MEMBERS ASKING WHAT AMOUNT FUNDING THE RESTING FOR THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAM.
THEY DIDN'T KNOW HAVING RESPONSE.
LOOK, UNDERSTAND MERCED COUNTY, COMPLETE.
BUT PLEASE UNDERSTAND IT IS A LOT WORK FOR MY COUNTY STAFF, AND YOU ALL IMAGINE HOW MUCH IS FOR WE DON'T HAVE SAME RESOURCES AND ACCESS AS YOU.
THAT'S WHY WE ARE ASKING FOR MORE WORKSHOPS AND HEARINGS.
WE WANT TO SEE A COUNTY BUDGET THAT REFLECTS THE NEEDS FOR THE COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, LISTEN TO ME.
>> YOUR TIME IS UP. THANK YOU.
>> [INAUDIBLE] AND I LIVE IN DELHI AS WELL, AND I INVOLVE IN A LOT OF THE COMMUNITY AS WELL.
I ENJOY DOING A LOT OF HELP IN THE COMMUNITY.
ONE OF MY FAVORITE BEING PART OF THE CNC, AND WE DO HAVE THE DELHI INACTION.
WELL, TODAY, I DON'T WANT TO TAKE A LOT OF TIME.
I WANTED TO ATTEND TODAY HEARING BECAUSE I WANTED TO MAKE A PUBLIC RECORD THAT I LIKE THE BOARD EVERYBODY HAVE MENTIONED THE SAME TOPIC, INCREASING THE PHOTOBLE HOUSING PROGRAM BUDGET.
PP AND ACCEPTING WAS 11 MILLION, I'M SORRY, 01,508,006 77 VERSUS [INAUDIBLE] AND PROVIDING MORE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC INPUT TO THE BUDGET PROCESS.
I ALSO WANT TO ADD THAT I HEARD SOMEONE THE OTHER DAY BRINGING UP THE ISSUE TO ADDRESSING THE POTABLE HOUSING CRISIS WITH THERE WASN'T ENOUGH MONEY IN THE DEVELOPERS.
THE COMMENT GOT MY INTENTION BECAUSE I AM VERY CONCERNED, AND I DID GOT A LITTLE BIT DISAPPOINTED AND HOW THIS INDIVIDUAL SEEMED SO EMPHATIC ABOUT THE POTENTIAL HIT THE DEVELOPER FEND MAY FACE.
IT MAYBE THINK ABOUT HOW PERCENT OR MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL TWO TO 3% PROFIT DECLINE THE FRIEND MAY FACE INSTEAD OF FINANCIAL IMPACT FAMILY MEMBERS THAT ACCOUNTING FACE ON DAILY.
IN 2023, THE US CENTER BORA ANNOUNCED THATLY 20% APPROXIMATELY 18 8% OF RESIDENT IN MERCED COUNTY LIVE BELOW THE PROFIT LINE, [INAUDIBLE] WAS SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER THAN THE 12.6% IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD SANTA CLAU COUNTY AND 12% IN THE STATE.
ACCORDING TO THE MERCE CITY IN THE COUNTY CONTINIUM OF CARE, HOME ACCOUNTING REPORT 2024 PAGE 78 A POINTEDLY 55,000 RESIDENTS OR 17,000 HOUSEHOLD ARE AT RISK OF BECOMING HOMELESS.
THIS IS MANY OF MY FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS CONSTITUTE MY RESPONSE TO THIS INDIVIDUAL, IS WHAT MORE IMPORTANT TO YOU, TO THE AMOUNT OF MONEY YOU DEVELOPERS FRIEND MAKE? OR HOW MANY FAMILIES IN DISTRICT OR HOUSING? NOT JUST RENTER, HOME OWNER, PEOPLE THAT APPEAR TO BE HOME OWNERS, BUT THE DUCK HILL RENTING.
ALSO, BECAUSE THERE ARE FAMILIES AND FRIENDS THAT LIVE IN A CROWDED HOME THAT CAN'T AFFORD THE HIGH RENTING.
THANK YOU SO MUCH AND THANK YOU FOR LISTENING.
>> HELLO, EVERYONE. MY NAME IS URI CONTRERAS.
I'VE LIVED IN THE CITY OF MERCED MY WHOLE LIFE.
I STUDIED AT UC MERCED AND GRADUATED WITH A BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN SOCIOLOGY.
I'VE TRIED PURCHASING A HOME BEFORE.
I CURRENTLY RENT, THAT IS OF MY INCOME.
TODAY, I WANTED TO ATTEND TODAY'S HEARING BECAUSE I WANT TO
[01:40:01]
MAKE A PUBLIC RECORD THAT I'D LIKE THE BOARD TO FIRST, INCREASE THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAMS BUDGET PROPOSED AND ACCEPTED WAS 1.5 MILLION VERSUS THE SHERIFF'S $54,845,793.SECOND, TO PROVIDE MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC INPUT TO THE BUDGET PROCESS.
ONE OF THE WAYS THE PUBLIC CAN PROVIDE MORE INPUT IS BY BEING MORE INVOLVED IN DEVELOPING THE COUNTY'S NEXT STRATEGIC PLAN.
I LIKE SEEING HOW WELL THE BOARD MEMBERS AND COUNTY DEPARTMENTS WORK TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE THE GOALS AND PRINCIPLES YOU ALL IDENTIFIED FOR ALMERSD COUNTY RESIDENTS.
BUT AS OUR CONVERSATIONS AND SURVEY HAVE IDENTIFIED, AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS A TOP PRIORITY THAT ISN'T BEING REFLECTED IN THE COUNTY'S BUDGET OR ITS STRATEGIC PLAN.
UNDER QUALITY OF LIFE, "THE BOARD LIST FROM PUBLIC SAFETY TO HEALTH SERVICES TO PARKS," BUT LACKS ANY MENTION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
THAT IS PAGE THREE OF THE 2025 TO 2028 MERCED COUNTY STRATEGIC PLAN.
HOUSING IS NOT ONLY A BASIC NEED, BUT A SOCIAL DETERMINANT OF HEALTH AND SHOULD BE PRIORITIZED ACCORDINGLY.
AS MANY OTHER MERCED COUNTY REPORTS HAVE IDENTIFIED, SUCH AS THE 2021 TO 2025 FIRST FIVE STRATEGIC PLANNING NEEDS ASSESSMENT, PAGES 16 AND 17, AND THE 2017 THROUGH 2022 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH STRATEGIC PLAN, PAGE NINE.
PRIORITIZING AND INVESTING IN THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAM AND PROJECTS WILL HELP ENSURE A AND MORE COMPASSIONATE MODEL TO PREVENT HOMELESSNESS, WHILE DECREASING CRIME AND SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR FAMILIES IN MERCED COUNTY.
PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MERCED COUNTY BUDGET AND STRATEGIC PLAN WILL ENHANCE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND PROVIDE REAL TIME INPUT, WHICH WILL ALLOW FOR BETTER OUTCOMES AND FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY.
I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT TIME. THANK YOU.
>> HELLO, EVERYONE. MY NAME IS ESMERALDA.
I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN DISTRICT 1.
I ALSO ATTEND MERCED COMMUNITY COLLEGE, AND I WORK FOR C AND C, COMMUNITIES FOR A NEW CALIFORNIA HERE IN MORSED.
GROWING UP, I HAVE SEEN THE STRUGGLES HOUSING HAS PUT MY FAMILY THROUGH.
I HAVE AN AUNT WHO'S A SINGLE MOTHER OF THREE, WHO HAS FOUND IT VERY DIFFICULT TO MOVE INTO A BIGGER HOME THAN A TWO BEDROOM.
MY AUNT WORKS TWO JOBS TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD HER RENT, BILLS, AND HER THREE DAUGHTERS ESSENTIALS.
MY GRANDFATHER IS A RETIRED COOK WHO LIVES ON SECTION 8 AND IN A ONE BEDROOM APARTMENT HERE IN MERCED AND PAYS OVER $600 IN RENT ALONE.
I WANTED TO ATTEND TODAY'S HEARING BECAUSE I WANT TO PUBLISH THAT I WOULD LIKE THE BOARD TO ONE INCREASE THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAMS BUDGET FROM 1.5 MILLION THAT WAS PROPOSED AND ACCEPTED AND TO PROVIDE MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC INPUT INTO THE BUDGET PROCESS.
I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS SOME COMMENTS I HEARD AT THE END OF THE BOARD MEETING IN JUNE ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY.
I AM REFERRING BACK TO THE MERCED COUNTY VIDEO RECORDING TWO MINUTE 34.
THE PROGRAM CNC IS NOT AGAINST PUBLIC SAFETY.
WE ARE NOT SAYING THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT SHOULD NOT BE RECEIVING 55 MILLION.
WE ARE SAYING THAT THE MERCED COUNTY BUDGET NEEDS A MORE EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION AND A PATH FORWARD THAT ISN'T JUST A ONE SIZE FITS ALL BECAUSE 1.5 MILLION FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING BUDGET DOES NOT FIT OUR RESIDENTS NEEDS.
INVESTING IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING WILL HELP ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF VIOLENCE AND CRIME.
OTHER HOUSING ADVOCATES SUCH AS HABIT FOR HUMANITY REPORT THAT AFFORDABLE HOUSING CONTRIBUTES TO REDUCED CRIME RATES, IMPROVED EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES, AND STRONGER SOCIAL NETWORKS, WHICH, IN TURN, FOSTER RESILIENT, VIBRANT COMMUNITIES WHERE EVERYONE HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SUCCEED.
THE INVESTMENT WILL ENSURE THAT IN THE FACE OF DRASTIC CUTS TO FEDERAL PROGRAMS, THE COUNTY CAN CONTRIBUTE TO DELIVER CRITICAL SERVICES TO RESIDENTS AND DEPLOY HOUSING FUNDS TO CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, THE COUNTY.
THIS IS ABOUT MORE THAN HOUSING.
IT IS ABOUT CREATING A FUTURE WHERE ALL MERCED COUNTY RESIDENTS CAN THRIVE.
STABLE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS THE FOUNDATION FOR GOOD HEALTH, STRONG EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES, AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> SURE. GOOD MORNING, BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
I'M DISTRICT THREE, JOSH PEDROSO DISTRICT.
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR HAVING MET WITH US IN MAY.
WANT TO TALK ABOUT THREE AREAS, THE NEED, THE PREVENTION AND EDUCATION.
THE NEED FOR THINGS THAT ARE NEEDED BY OUR COUNTY.
I THINK YOU'VE ADDRESSED SOME OF THOSE THROUGH THE BUDGET.
I THINK THAT IT'S IMPORTANT TO HIGHLIGHT
[01:45:04]
THE DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH WHEN IT COMES TO HOUSING ISSUES.MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE LIVED HERE IN THE COUNTY FOR PRACTICALLY 50 YEARS ALMOST.
WHEN WE GOT HERE, THERE WAS ABOUT 35,000 PEOPLE IN THE COUNTY.
AT THAT TIME, ONE SOLITARY HOMELESS PERSON WAS KNOWN TO LIVE CLOSE TO THE SUPERIOR COURT THERE BEFORE THE NEW ONE CAME UP.
BUT I THINK THAT THERE'S BEEN AN ISSUE WITH CRISISES HERE WITH REGARDS TO OUR COUNTY AND HOUSING.
WE KNOW THAT THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF OUTSIDE MONIES FOR THE FEDERAL LEVEL, STATE LEVEL, THROUGH THE CONTINUUM OF CARE THAT I HAVE PARTICIPATED WITH.
BUT THERE'S LITTLE IN PREVENTION.
WE NEED THE PREVENTION, AND THIS IS WHY YOU'RE HEARING OUR RESIDENTS TALKING ABOUT.
WE KNOW YOU'RE NOT IN THE BUILDING OF HOMES, JUST LIKE THE CITY IS NOT, BUT YOU CAN HAVE LEVERAGE FOR PEOPLE.
THE EDUCATION ASPECT OF IT, I THINK THAT IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WORKSHOPS ARE OFFERED FROM THE COUNTY TO UNDERSTAND THIS BUDGET PROCESS.
IT'S A LOT OF WORDS THAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND, DISCRETIONARY AND THIS AND THAT.
I STILL KIND OF DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IS BEING DONE WITH THE JAIL.
IT'S ALMOST LIKE THE HIGH SPEED RAIL.
IT'S BECOMING HIGHER AND HIGHER AND HIGHER, AND WE'RE NEVER GOING TO COME TO THE END OF IT.
ANOTHER ASPECT OF THE WHOLE PROCESS THAT WE HAVE HERE IS THE TECHNOLOGY.
I BROWSE THROUGH, YOUR AGENDAS.
THERE'S A LOT OF MONEY IN TECHNOLOGY.
BUT WHAT GOOD IS TECHNOLOGY IF THE CAMERAS ARE TURNED OFF WHEN THINGS ARE HAPPENING IN THE JAILS WHERE PEOPLE GET HURT AND DIE THERE, THEN YOU HAVE OTHER, INSURANCE ISSUES.
PLEASE INVOLVE THE COMMUNITY IN UNDERSTANDING, BEING CREATIVE AND HELPING THIS PROCESS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> A COUPLE OF THINGS, AND I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO MR. HENDRICKSON, WHO'S GOING TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING ASPECTS.
I DO WANT TO SAY, THANK YOU FOR THE PUBLIC COMMENT ABOUT GOING AND THE MORE INVOLVED.
I DO WANT TO MAKE A POINT TO SAY, AS IT RELATES TO THIS PROCESS, THIS IS AN ONGOING PROCESS.
WE MEET TWICE A MONTH, SAME PLACE, SAME TIME.
AT ANY ONE OF THOSE MEETINGS, YOU'RE ABLE TO COME AND ADDRESS YOUR CONCERNS WITH US.
THE OTHER THING TOO IS, AND I'M NOT GOING TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF MY COLLEAGUES ON THE BOARD.
I DO KNOW THAT WE ARE VERY OPEN TO MEETING WITH ANYBODY.
WE MAY NOT HAVE THE ANSWERS RIGHT THEN AND THERE, BUT I KNOW THAT MYSELF, I'M COMMITTED TO FINDING ANSWERS.
SOMETIMES WE GIVE ANSWERS THAT PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO HEAR.
IT'S A HARD THING TO DO, BUT AT LEAST, WE'RE WILLING TO MEET AND WILLING TO TALK WITH YOU FROM MY POINT OF VIEW, AND AGAIN, DON'T WANT TO SPEAK FOR MY COLLEAGUES, BUT I KNOW HOW THEY ARE AS WELL.
WE'RE HERE ALL THE TIME AND VERY OPEN.
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I KNOW I TAKE VERY SERIOUSLY.
I THINK MY DO TAKE IT VERY SERIOUSLY AS WELL.
AS IT RELATES TO AND I DID COMMIT TO A PUBLIC TOWN HALL TO GIVE INFORMATION AND TO WORK BECAUSE I FEEL THAT THAT'S THE BEST WAY FOR ME TO GET THE INFORMATION FROM THE CONSTITUENTS WHO ARE IN DISTRICT 2.
I'M SURE DISTRICT 3 WOULD STAY THE SAME THING, BUT I'M IN DISTRICT 2, AND THAT'S MAINLY THE CITY OF MERCED.
I'VE COMMITTED TO THAT SINCE I'VE BEEN IN OFFICE, WHETHER IT WAS ON THE CITY COUNCIL OR AS A SUPERVISOR, AND I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT TO DO.
I DO THINK THAT I RECOGNIZE THE CONCERNS AND THE ISSUES.
BUT WHEN WE SAY THAT THERE'S CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR EACH PROJECT, THAT'S THE REALITY OF THE SITUATION.
I WANT TO TURN IT OVER TO MR. HENDRICKSON TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE HOUSING COMMENTS.
>> I'LL DO MY BEST TO KEEP THIS SOMEWHAT BRIEF.
REITERATE SOME POINTS THAT I THINK I'VE MADE PREVIOUSLY, PERHAPS IT WAS THAT PROPOSED BUDGET WHEN SOME OF THE SAME CONCERNS, AND I REALLY DO APPRECIATE ON BEHALF OF
[01:50:01]
THE BOARD THE COMMENTS THAT WERE MADE WITH REGARD TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.LET'S BE REALLY CLEAR, THOUGH, AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND THIS CRISIS IS CERTAINLY IT'S NOT UNIQUE MERCED COUNTY.
THIS IS A STATEWIDE ISSUE THAT IS IMPACTING NEARLY EVERY SINGLE COMMUNITY.
SO THAT BEING SAID, LET'S TALK FOR A SECOND ABOUT WHAT IS THE COUNTY'S ROLE VERSUS WHAT IT IS NOT.
THE COUNTY'S ROLE THROUGH ITS HOUSING ELEMENT IS ESSENTIALLY TO SET ASIDE PROPERTY TO ZONE PROPERTY FOR THE PURPOSES OF FACILITATING AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT.
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT THIS BOARD HAS SUCCESSFULLY DONE, AND WE JUST RECENTLY RESUBMITTED, I BELIEVE, OUR HOUSING ELEMENT FOR THE NEXT GOAL AROUND, WHICH IS AN OPEN PROCESS WITH A LOT OF COMMUNITY DIALOGUE AND INPUT.
I REALLY WANT TO SAY THANKS TO THOSE WHO WERE IMPACTFUL IN THAT REGARD.
I THINK MISS SANDOVAL SAID IT VERY WELL THE COUNTY IS NOT A DEVELOPER.
THAT'S NOT WHAT THE COUNTY DOES.
LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT, AGAIN, WHAT IS THIS $1.5 MILLION? IT'S IN THE BUDGET.
THIS IS REFLECTIVE OF GRANTS AND PROGRAM INCOME THAT'S BEEN RECEIVED OVER A PERIOD OF TIME.
NOW THERE ARE OTHER GRANTS THAT ARE ACTUALLY PENDING THAT PERHAPS IF WE'RE SUCCESSFUL MORE RESOURCES WOULD BE DEDICATED TOWARDS AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
IF WE WANT TO IMPACT POSITIVELY AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND I MADE THIS COMMENT SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, WHAT EFFORTS HAVE BEEN MADE? TO ACTUALLY GO TO SACRAMENTO, TO ACTUALLY CHANGE THE INHIBITING FACTORS THAT MAKE AFFORDABLE HOUSING DIFFICULT IN A COMMUNITY LIKE MERCED.
IN THE END, THIS IS ALL ABOUT WHAT PENCILS FOR SOMEBODY WHO IS ACTUALLY THE DEVELOPER.
WHEN YOU'RE ARTIFICIALLY RAISING COST, I ALIGNING OUR PREVAILING WAGE RATES WITH THAT OF A LARGER, MORE URBANIZED AREA, THAT'S DRIVING UP THE PRICE TAG OF AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT BY ABOUT 40%.
IF I WAS OUT THERE IN THE COMMUNITY AND CERTAINLY THE ADVOCATES.
I WOULD CERTAINLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO GO TO YOUR STATE LEGISLATORS AND ACTUALLY FIGHT THAT FIGHT, ACTUALLY ARGUE FOR SOMETHING THAT SEEMS TO MAKE A LITTLE BIT MORE SENSE, WHICH WOULD GIVE AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPER THE IMPETUS FROM WHICH TO ACTUALLY DEVELOP IN A COMMUNITY LIKE MERCED COUNTY.
I THINK THERE'S A LOT TO BE SAID THERE.
BUT AGAIN, I WOULD CERTAINLY ENCOURAGE OUR FRIENDS IN THE COMMUNITY TODAY WHO DID A NICE JOB OF ARTICULATING THEIR POSITION.
REACH OUT TO YOUR STATE LEGISLATORS, FIGHT THAT FIGHT IN SACRAMENTO.
OBVIOUSLY, THIS BOARD, HAS LONG BEEN CONCERNED WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING AS WELL.
BUT IT'S GOING TO LARGELY BE THE RESULT OF SOME CHANGES IN SACRAMENTO THAT WILL FIND ITS WAY, I THINK, WITH SOME SUCCESS DOWN THE ROAD, NOT JUST IN COMMUNITIES LIKE MERCED, BUT THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.
>> THANK YOU. TO THAT POINT, ALSO WE SPENT A LONG TIME THIS MORNING DISCUSSING THE ELECTION.
THAT'S $250 MILLION THAT GOING TO THE STATE IS PUTTING OUT THERE FOR AN ELECTION.
SO IF IT'S $1.4 MILLION FOR MERCED COUNTY, AND WE'VE SET ASIDE WHAT WE HAVE IN OUR BUDGET, AGAIN, THIS THIS IS A CALIFORNIA THING.
IT'S NOT JUST A CALIFORNIA THING, IT'S A NATIONAL ISSUE, AND WE RECOGNIZE THAT.
BUT WHEN THE FUNDS WHEN WE'RE LOOKING AT THE FUNDS THAT ARE BEING SPENT, AGAIN, ADVOCATE IN SACRAMENTO, AND I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT THEY'VE GOT BLINDERS ON SOMETIMES.
AND THAT'S WHY WE NEED TO REALLY FOCUS ON THE ADVOCACY THAT WE CAN DO WITH OUR STATE PARTNERS BECAUSE A LOT OF THE FUNDING THAT WE HAVE, YOU SAW MISS ANDERSON, SAY, THERE'S CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT WE GET THAT WE HAVE NO AUTHORITY TO SPEND.
AND SO IT MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT WHEN IT COMES TO THE OTHER AREAS OF THAT WE'RE LISTENING TO OUR CONSTITUENTS WHO MAY NOT BE HERE RIGHT NOW, BUT WE STILL HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO LISTEN TO OUR CONSTITUENTS AND SPEND THE TAXPAYER MONEY, WHICH WE ARE TAXPAYERS AS WELL, IN A RESPONSIBLE AND EFFICIENT WAY TO GET THE BEST BANG FOR OUR BUCK.
THAT'S REALLY WHAT WE'RE TASKED TO DO.
AND AGAIN, LIKE I SAID, IT'S NOT ALWAYS EASY TO SAY NO, BUT IF I TELL YOU YES, AND THE REAL ANSWER IS NO, THEN I'M NOT DOING YOU ANY FAVORS, AND I'M NOT DOING MYSELF ANY FAVORS.
WITH THAT, I CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT.
I'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD BOARD SUPERVISOR PRAYER.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. YOU KNOW, NORMALLY, I DON'T REALLY ADDRESS PUBLIC COMMENT RIGHT AFTER PUBLIC COMMENT, BUT I HAD SOME THOUGHTS THAT I THOUGHT WERE MAYBE IMPORTANT FOR THIS DISCUSSION.
I THINK OUR CEO ARTICULATED THAT WE DON'T BUILD AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND I BELIEVE THAT THE COUNTY'S RESPONSIBILITIES ARE TO PUBLIC SAFETY, PROVIDING SERVICES, PROVIDING LIBRARIES, PROVIDING AN AD COMMISSIONER TO KEEP OUR ECONOMIES GOING AND I DON'T WANT TO THROW ANYBODY UNDER THE BUS, AND I'M NOT DOING THAT, BUT WHAT I AM GOING TO DO IS SHARE WITH THOSE THAT SPOKE THAT
[01:55:04]
THE MERCED COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY IS TASKED WITH AN OPERATING AFFORDABLE HOUSING.I THINK THE STATE MAKES HOUSING MORE EXPENSIVE, BUT THE MERCED COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY HAS THE ABILITY TO GET GRANTS, TO GET THAT MONEY.
IN FACT, THEY HAVE ACCESS TO MONEY THAT WE DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO AND SO MAYBE GOING TO THEIR MEETINGS AND ENGAGING IN THEIR PROCESS MIGHT BE HELPFUL.
I GUESS, ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO, SPENT A LOT OF TIME WITH JOHN CHECKY, DEPUTY DIRECTOR, HSC OVER HOMELESS AND HOUSING, AND HE'D SHARED WITH ME WHERE OTHER HOUSING AUTHORITIES ARE GETTING FUNDING AND THAT THAT MERCED COUNTY'S AND IT'S NOT OUR I MEAN, IT'S NOT A MERCED COUNTY DEPARTMENT.
THEIR NAME IS MERCED COUNTY, BECAUSE THEY OPERATE HERE.
BUT THEY HAVE ACCESS TO FUNDING, AND SOME OF IT THERE THEY'RE NOT GOING AFTER.
I THINK THEY'VE DONE A BETTER JOB IN THE LAST YEAR, BUT THERE'S STILL A LOT OF MONEY AVAILABLE AND SO MAYBE HAVE SOME DISCUSSIONS WITH THEM WITH THEIR BOARD MEMBERS.
THEN, ANNALISA, WHEN YOU TALKED ABOUT THE LIFT TO RISE, I SAID I'D BE INTERESTED IN HEARING HOW THEY DID IT AND WHAT THEY DID.
I THOUGHT YOU WERE GOING TO GIVE ME A CONTACT, AND THEN I LOST TRACK OF IT.
IF YOU SENT ME A CONTACT, COULD YOU REDO THAT? I MISSED IT, AND IF YOU DIDN'T, LET'S GET ON THE SAME PAGE THERE AND MAYBE WE CAN HELP EACH OTHER.
THEN, LASTLY, I HEARD THE BUDGET, AND IT DIDN'T CLICK FOR ME UNTIL MRS. SANDOVAL SAID, I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT DISCRETIONARY FUNDING MEANS AND SHE PROBABLY DOES, BUT I MEAN, THAT WAS JUST THE WORD SHE PICKED OUT.
MAYBE WE DO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SUNSHINE THE BUDGET PROCESS A LITTLE BETTER FOR THE COMMUNITY AND SO I WOULD ENTERTAIN SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
THAT TO ME MAKES SENSE BECAUSE OFTENTIMES PEOPLE COME HERE AND ASK US TO DO STUFF THAT ISN'T NECESSARILY OR WHAT WE CAN DO.
WHEN I FIRST GOT INTO OFFICE, A COUPLE OF MY COMMUNITIES, SO WENT AND AND DELHI WANTED MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND SO I WORKED WITH DEVELOPERS TO TRY TO FIGURE THAT OUT.
WHAT THEY CAME BACK WITH WAS IT COST $390,000 TO BUILD THE DOOR OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
IT COST $280,000 A DOOR TO BUILD AN APARTMENT LIKE A MARKET RATE APARTMENT AND THE MARKET RATE APARTMENT WAS GOING TO RENT FOR ABOUT $1,200 A MONTH.
AT THAT TIME, AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING APARTMENT WAS GOING TO RENT FOR ABOUT MAYBE $900 AND SO THEY SAID, WELL, WHY WOULD I BUILD AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO RISK MY CAPITAL TO MAKE A SMALLER RETURN.
I THINK THE SYSTEM LIKE THE CEO SHARED, JUST THE STATE HAS MADE IT COST PROHIBITIVE TO BUILD A LOT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND THAT HURTS US ALL.
THEN THE LAST THING I'LL SAY IS THAT ALTHOUGH THE USMR SAID BRINGS A LOT OF ADVANTAGES TO OUR AREA AND OUR COUNTY AND OUR REGION, REALLY.
I MEAN, THEY HAVE A PRETTY BROAD RANGE OF WHERE THEY MAKE POSITIVE IMPACTS.
ONE THING THAT THAT HAS CAUSED IS THE COST OF HOUSING, NOT ONLY PURCHASES, BUT RENTALS, PRICES TO SKYROCKET.
ABOUT HALF THE HOUSES THAT SOLD IN MERCED COUNTY ARE SOLD TO INVESTORS, NOT TO PEOPLE WHO GREW UP HERE AND WANT TO LIVE HERE AND THAT'S AN UNFORTUNATE DYNAMIC, BUT THAT'S WHAT IT IS, AND I DON'T THINK THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CAN FIX THAT.
THANK YOU FOR THE TIME, MR. CHAIR.
>> WE NOW HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING AS SUBMITTED BY THE AUDITOR CONTROLLER.
>> AUDITOR PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER SETTING THE APPROPRIATION LIMITATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025/2026 ESTABLISHED UNDER ARTICLE 13B OF THE STATE CONSTITUTION.
>> OKAY, I WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING AND ACCEPT PUBLIC COMMENT RELATED TO SETTING THE APPROPRIATION LIMITATION FOR FISCAL YEAR '25/'26.
THE PUBLIC HEARING IS NOW CLOSED.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS WILL BE A MANUAL VOTE.
BRING IT BACK. I HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA AND A SECOND BY SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE, AND OPPOSED, NAY. A.
WE WILL NOW MOVE ON TO THE BUDGET CALENDAR BEGINNING WITH FINAL BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS.
>> AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR FINAL BUDGET ITEM 1 FINAL BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS.
[02:00:03]
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR FINAL BUDGET ITEM 1 IS NOW CLOSED.WE'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD.
I HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA, SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR PEREIRA.
CALL FOR THE VOTE. PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE.
NEXT, WE HAVE LEASE PURCHASE AGREEMENTS.
>> AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR FINAL BUDGET ITEM NUMBER 2, LEASE PURCHASE AGREEMENTS.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR FINAL BUDGET ITEM 2 IS NOW CLOSED.
THE MOTION BY SUPERVISOR PACHECO, SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR PEREIRA, PLEASE CALL FOR THE VOTE.
PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE. MOTION UNANIMOUSLY PASSES.
NEXT, WE HAVE OUT OF STATE TRANSPORTATION AND TRAINING.
>> AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR FINAL BUDGET ITEM NUMBER 3, OUT OF STATE TRANSPORTATION AND TRAINING.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR FINAL BUDGET ITEM NUMBER 3 IS NOW CLOSED AND WE'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD.
I HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA, SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR PACHECO. PLEASE CALL FOR THE VOTE.
THE MOTION UNANIMOUSLY PASSES.
NEXT, WE WILL MOVE ON TO POLICY ACTION ITEMS BEGINNING WITH ROAD DIVISION WORK PROGRAM.
>> AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR FINAL BUDGET ITEM NUMBER 4, ROAD DIVISION WORK PROGRAM.
>> I THINK WE HAVE THEM SCHEDULED TO BE TAKEN SEPARATELY.
I WANT TO DO A VOTE ON ALL FOUR.
>> WHAT WE'LL DO IS WE'LL TAKE THEM SEPARATELY AND WE'LL DO A VOICE VOTE ON.
>> YOU TAKE THEM SEPARATELY, YOU CAN USE VOTE.
>> TAKE THEM SEPARATELY. AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR FINAL BUDGET ITEM NUMBER 4.
PUBLIC COMMENT FOR FINAL BUDGET ITEM NUMBER 4 IS NOW CLOSED.
I HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR PACHECO, SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL, CALL FOR THE VOTE.
PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE. MOTION UNANIMOUS CARRIES.
NEXT, I WILL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR POLICY ACTION NUMBER 5.
I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEM NUMBER 5.
A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA, SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR PEREIRA.
PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE. MOTION CARRIES.
OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT FOR POLICY ACTION NUMBER 6.
I HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR PACHECO, SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL.
MOTION UNANIMOUSLY PASSES. NEXT, WE HAVE POLICY ACTION NUMBER 7. SUPERVISOR PEREIRA.
>> WELL, I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY THAT I PARTICIPATE IN THE WILLIAMSON ACT, SO I'M GOING TO REMOVE MYSELF AT THIS TIME.
[02:05:13]
>> AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR FINAL BUDGET ITEM NUMBER 7 WILLIAMSON ACT PROGRAM.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR FINAL BUDGET ITEM NUMBER 7 IS NOW CLOSED.
WE HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL, SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA.
PLEASE CALL FOR THE VOTE. RECORD THE VOTE.
MOTION CARRIES WITH SUPERVISOR PEREIRA NOT VOTING.
ABSTAINING. NOW WE'LL GET BACK TO THE SCRIPT THAT I WASN'T USING.
WE WILL NOW MOVE ON TO PERSONNEL ACTIONS.
>> AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR FINAL BUDGET ITEM NUMBER 8, PERSONNEL ACTIONS.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR FINAL BUDGET ITEM NUMBER 8 IS NOW CLOSED.
BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD. SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT HERE, TO OUR LIBRARY FRIENDS, I SAW THAT SOME OF YOU WERE HERE EARLIER.
SOME OF OUR FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THERE.
ITEM NUMBER 9 WITHIN THIS ACTION ITEM, WE'RE ADDING TWO POSITIONS TO THE LIBRARY AND PART OF THAT IS BECAUSE WITH OUR NEW LIBRARY IN DOS PALOS, AS PART OF THE GRANT REQUIREMENTS, WE ARE GOING TO BE OPERATING MORE HOURS OF SERVICE, SO I JUST WANT TO LET YOU FOLKS KNOW THAT WE'RE LISTENING AND WE'RE PROVIDING MORE RESOURCES TO OUR LIBRARY. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR.
>> WE'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD. MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA, SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR MCDANIEL, CALL FOR THE VOTE.
NEXT, WE WILL MOVE ON TO AUDITOR SCHEDULERS.
>> AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR FINAL BUDGET ITEM NUMBER 9, AUDITOR SCHEDULES.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR FINAL BUDGET ITEM 9 IS NOW CLOSED.
I HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA, SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR PACHECO. PLEASE CALL FOR THE VOTE.
PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE. MOTION UNANIMOUSLY PASSES.
WE WILL NOW MOVE ON THE FINAL ITEM ON THE BUDGET CALENDAR, WHICH IS TO ADOPT THE FISCAL YEAR 2025/2026 FINAL BUDGET.
>> AT THIS TIME, I'LL OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT FOR FINAL BUDGET, ITEM NUMBER 10, ADOPTION OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2025/2026 FINAL BUDGET.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR PERIOD FOR FINAL BUDGET, ITEM NUMBER 10 IS NOW CLOSED.
WE'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD.
I'M SORRY. SUPERVISOR PEREIRA.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. WELL, THE BUDGET PROCESS IS VERY COMPLEX.
TWO THINGS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT.
ONE IS THANK YOU TO THE CEO BUDGET STAFF AND THE DEPARTMENTS FOR PARTICIPATING IN THE MID YEAR REVIEW.
THAT SEEMED TO BE VERY HELPFUL.
THANK YOU, AND I HOPE WE'LL CONTINUE THAT.
THEN, SECONDLY, THANK YOU FOR BREAKING THIS DOWN FOR US.
FOR THOSE YOU IN THE PUBLIC, WE'VE SEEN THE BUDGET QUITE A FEW TIMES BETWEEN, THE MID YEAR BUDGET REVIEW AND TODAY AND IT IS VERY COMPLEX AND SO THAT'S PART OF THE REASON WHY I THINK IT WOULD BE GOOD TO JUST DO, BUDGET 101 AT SOME POINT IN TIME IN THE FUTURE.
I MEAN, JUST THE COUNTLESS HOURS THAT GO INTO THIS.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE THANK YOU AND PERSONALLY, FOR BREAKING IT DOWN TO MAKE IT, ANSWERING MY QUESTIONS AND MAKING IT USABLE INFORMATION. THANK YOU.
[02:10:01]
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. YEAH, I WANT TO ECHO MY COLLEAGUES COMMENTS TO VANESSA ANDERSON.
>> CRAIG, THE FISH OVER THERE, TERRY AND KIM.
THEY ARE THE ONES THAT PUT ALL THESE NUMBERS TOGETHER AND MAKE THIS THING WORK, AND I DO WANT TO EXTEND ON THE COMMENTS OF THE MID YEAR BUDGET REVIEW.
I KNEW THAT SOMETHING I'M NOT GOING TO SAY IT'S NOT ANYTHING NEW, BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'RE PUTTING MORE OF AN EMPHASIS ON.
I KNOW IT'S PROBABLY A LITTLE FRUSTRATING THAT THERE'S A LITTLE MORE THINGS THAT WE ADD TO YOUR PLATE.
BUT I THINK YOU CAN SEE THE RESULTS OF IT IS THAT AS WE ARE CLOSING OUT ONE FISCAL YEAR AND GOING INTO A NEW FISCAL YEAR, WHEN WE ARE SO RELIANT ON THAT FUND BALANCE IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO BALANCE THE NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET, THE BETTER THAT WE CAN PAINT THAT PICTURE, THE MORE ACCURATE WE CAN PAINT THAT PICTURE, IT ALLOWS US TO DO STUFF IN THE NEXT BUDGET YEAR THAT WE MIGHT NOT HAVE HAD WE NOT HAD A REALLY CLOSE TAB ON WHAT THOSE NUMBERS ARE.
WHAT I MEAN BY THAT IS IS THERE'S OPPORTUNITY COSTS THAT WE DO IN EVERYTHING.
IF WE ARE NOT ACCURATE WITH OUR NUMBERS THAT WE'RE PUTTING INTO THE NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET, AND THERE'S POTENTIALLY MORE MONEY THAT COULD BE PROGRAMMED.
IF THAT MONEY IS NOT PROGRAMMED, THEN YOU LOSE OUT ON AN OPPORTUNITY COST TO PUT THAT IN TO SOMETHING THAT WE WANT TO DO.
WE ALL KNOW THAT WHATEVER WE DON'T GET DONE THIS YEAR, WHEN WE GO TO DO IT NEXT YEAR, IT'S GOING TO COST US MORE MONEY.
I KNOW THAT IT WAS A CHANGE IN THE WAY THAT WE DID THINGS, BUT I THINK THAT YOU CAN SEE BECAUSE I THINK THE NUMBER WAS LIKE 8,500.
THE ESTIMATES THAT WE GOT FROM OUR MID YEAR PROJECTIONS WITH ALL THE HELP OF DEPARTMENT LAND AND THE FISCAL PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT HELPED PRODUCE THOSE NUMBERS.
WHAT WE ACTUALLY ENDED UP WITH WAS $8,500 DIFFERENCE, AND I KNOW 8,500 IS A LOT OF MONEY TO AN INDIVIDUAL, BUT IN A 1,120,000,000 SOMETHING MILLION DOLLAR BUDGET, 08,500 IS LITERALLY WHATEVER IS LESS THAN A ROUNDING ERROR.
THAT'S WHAT THAT IS. KUDOS TO YOU GUYS ON THAT.
AND I JUST WANT TO TALK ABOUT A LITTLE BIT IS, AS YOU LOOK AT THIS BUDGET, WE WENT THROUGH SOME UNPRECEDENTED TIMES WITH COVID AND THEN WITH ARPA AND WITH CARS ACT.
THESE ARE ONCE IN A GENERATION TYPE OF MONIES THAT CAME INTO OUR COUNTY. THERE WAS NOTHING.
I WOULD LOVE TO TELL YOU THAT'S BECAUSE WE'RE SO GREAT AT WHAT WE DO, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WAS SO GREAT THAT ALL THESE NEW REVENUES AND RESOURCES CAME INTO THE COUNTY.
THE REALITY IS IS THEY CAME FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AND I FEEL VERY ACCOMPLISHED IN THE SENSE THAT THIS BOARD CHOSE TO USE ONE TIME MONEY FOR ONE TIME INVESTMENTS.
WE WEREN'T GOING TO PUT IT INTO ONGOING COSTS.
BUT WE'RE STARTING TO SEE THE TAIL END OF THAT.
AND THAT'S REFLECTIVE OF OUR BUDGET IS GOING DOWN.
EVEN WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT SAVINA DEPARTMENTS, THERE'S A LOT OF MONEY THAT CAME INTO THOSE DEPARTMENTS BY WAY OF CARS ACT, AND ARPA, THERE WAS ADDITIONAL DOLLARS THAT WERE PUT INTO THOSE.
AND SO WE'RE GETTING BACK TO MORE OF A REALISTIC OF WHAT OUR BUDGET IS, AND THAT ALWAYS COMES WITH A LITTLE BIT OF PAIN.
I'VE SAID THIS BEFORE, WE'RE HEALTHY, WE'RE NOT WEALTHY.
I'M NOT QUITE WILLING TO SAY THAT WE'RE COMPLETELY HEALTHY.
THE TRENDS SHOW THAT I HATE TO BE A PESSIMIST BECAUSE I LIKE TO THINK I'M AN OPTIMIST BY NATURE, BUT THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT CAUSED ME CONCERN IS THAT BUDGET TIMES ARE GETTING LEANER.
WE'VE MADE THE INVESTMENTS WHERE WE'RE PICKING WINNERS AND LOSERS.
WHAT I MEAN BY THAT IS AS DEPARTMENTS COME FORWARD WITH REQUESTS, WE WANT NEW POSITIONS, WE WANT TO REDO THIS HERE, REDO THAT THERE.
THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH RESOURCES TO DO ALL THAT, AND SO YOU HAVE TO PRIORITIZE.
I WOULD ENCOURAGE EVERY DEPARTMENT OUT THERE IS AS YOU PRIORITIZE.
DON'T JUST LOOK AT A ONE YEAR APPROACH, LOOK AT A MULTI-YEAR APPROACH BECAUSE WHEN YOU PRIORITIZE SOMETHING IN ONE YEAR, AND WE WORK HARD TO BE ABLE TO TRY TO, I SAY, WE THE BUDGET FOLKS, WORK HARD TO FIND, SHOW US WHERE THE RESOURCES ARE THAT WE CAN DO THAT.
WE CAN PRIORITIZE AND POTENTIALLY GET YOUR FIRST THING ON YOUR LIST.
WHEN THE NEXT YEAR YOU COME BACK AND YOUR LIST IS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT, IT BECOMES HARDER AND HARDER TO PRIORITIZE.
THAT'S JUST A LITTLE BIT OF ADVICE FOR SOMEBODY THAT SITS ON THIS SIDE OF IT.
BUT OVERALL, WE LIVE TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY.
I STILL HAVE CONCERNS OVER FUND BALANCE.
IF EVERYBODY DOES EXACTLY WHAT WE'RE POTENTIALLY GOING TO VOTE ON HERE IN A FEW MINUTES FOR THEM TO DO.
IF EVERYBODY SPENDS EVERYTHING THAT WAS ALLOCATED TO THEM.
NEXT YEAR, WE'RE GOING TO BE IN A 70 SOMETHING MILLION DOLLAR HOLE, BUT IF YOU LOOK AT THE ONE SLIDE THAT VANESSA CREATED, MINIMALLY A $40 PLUS MILLION DOLLAR HOLE, WE'LL LOOK AT OUR RESERVES.
THAT COULD BE GONE, AND THAT IS OUR LAST RESORT TYPE OF MONEY.
IT CONCERNS ME, BUT I KNOW THAT WE HAVE GOOD FOLKS OUT THERE DOING GOOD WORK, AND WE'RE TRYING TO GIVE THE TAXPAYERS A GOOD RETURN ON THEIR INVESTMENT BECAUSE THIS IS THEIR RESOURCE.
THIS IS NOT MY MONEY. THIS IS EVERYBODY THAT LIVES IN MERCED COUNTY,
[02:15:02]
AND TECHNICALLY, PEOPLE THAT DRIVE THROUGH C THAT LEAVE SOME OF IT, IT BECOMES OURS, BUT THEY'RE THE ONES THAT CONTRIBUTED IT.WE'RE TRYING TO BE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE WITH OUR MONEY, AND I WILL SAY THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO WHAT WE CAN AFFORD TO DO.
I'M NOT WILLING TO MAKE YOUR PROMISES THAT WE CAN'T LIVE UP TO NEXT YEAR.
THAT IS A MOTTO THAT I'VE TAKEN IN BEING IN GOVERNMENT AND BUDGETING IS AND SOMETIMES THAT CAUSES FRUSTRATIONS WITH FOLKS BECAUSE THEY WANT MORE, AND THEY MAGICALLY THINK THAT WE JUST BECAUSE YOU HAVE A $1 BILLION BUDGET OVER $1 BILLION BUDGET, THAT WE HAVE A LOT OF RESOURCES.
AND THE LAST THING I'LL LEAVE YOU WITH IS THAT I DO AGREE, COMING UP WITH A BUDGET 101 SO THAT WE CAN HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH ANY ONE OF OUR CONSTITUENT, ANY ONE OF OUR BOSSES ON WHAT IS DISCRETIONARY? WHAT IS NOT DISCRETIONARY? WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHAT THIS BOARD HAS DISCRETION OVER IS A LITTLE OVER $200 MILLION OF THAT $1.2 BILLION BUDGET.
200 MILLION OF IT IS THE PART THAT WE ACTUALLY HAVE DISCRETION OVER HOW WE SPEND IT.
AND I THINK THAT I TRIED TO TELL THAT STORY, BUT I THINK AS A COUNTY, WE COULD DO A BETTER JOB OF TELLING THAT STORY SO THAT OUR RESIDENTS UNDERSTAND WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, BECAUSE WHEN YOU START THROWING AROUND THE B WORD BILLIONS, IT GETS LOST A LITTLE BIT.
I THINK THAT THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL MOVING FORWARD. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. THANK YOU, VANESSA.
I KNOW WE DID A MID YEAR PROCESS THIS YEAR, WHICH WAS VERY INTENSIVE.
IT'S FUNNY THOUGH I OVERLOOKED THE MID YEAR, BECAUSE I THINK YOU WERE IN MY OFFICE AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK, MULTIPLE TIMES A WEEK BECAUSE WHEN WE WERE GOING THROUGH NEGOTIATIONS, WE WERE BREAKING EVERYTHING DOWN LITERALLY TO THE PENNY TO SEE HOW MUCH MONEY WE HAD, AND I APPRECIATE THE EFFORT BECAUSE THAT WASN'T JUST YOU.
I WAS THE ENTIRE STAFF ON THE BUDGET, SO I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU GUYS BROUGHT HERE.
THERE'S NOT MUCH MORE I CAN ADD.
MY COLLEAGUE SAID MOST OF IT, BUT THIS I THINK THIS YEAR'S PROCESS.
>> I AM SERIOUS, WE ARE LOOKING AT IT BREAKING IT DOWN TO THE PENNIES WHEN WE'RE MOVING MONEY AROUND BECAUSE WE ARE TRYING TO DO IT RIGHT.
THE HEALTH CARE DEEP DIVE, I THINK IS REALLY WHAT GOT US INVOLVED IN THE BUDGET EVEN FURTHER TO SEE WHERE WE ARE.
WE'RE NOT MOVING MONEY BY PERCENTAGES ANYMORE.
WE'RE ACTUALLY MOVING IT BY DOLLAR AND CENTS.
I APPRECIATE THE EFFORTS YOU DID HERE, LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS BUDGET AND LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT YEAR'S EVEN BEING BETTER. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR.
>> THANK YOU. SUPERVISOR PACHECO.
>> THANK YOU, MISS CHAIR. BEING THE NEW GUY ON THE BLOCK AND THIS BEING MY FIRST BUDGET, I DO WANT TO THANK THE STAFF THAT TOOK THE EXTRA TIME TO HELP ME UNDERSTAND THE BUDGET.
I DO THINK THAT A BUDGET 11 CLASS, I MEAN, IF I CAN GET A LITTLE GRASP ON, I THINK WE CAN SIT OUT TO THE PUBLIC AND BE HELPFUL IF THEY KNEW WHAT THE PROCESS WAS.
BUT ECHO THEIR COMMENTS, BUT AGAIN, JUST THE EXTRA TIME TO LIKE I SAID, THIS IS MY FIRST BUDGET.
I'M GLAD THAT TOOK THE EXTRA TIME TO HELP ME UNDERSTAND IT. THANK YOU, CHAIR.
>> I WANT TO START OUT BY SAYING, THANK YOU TO OUR CEO, OUR ASSISTANT CEO, DEPUTY CEO, VANESSA ANDERSON AND HER TEAM, GREG COUT, KIM, THOMAS, TERRY JEPSON, ANDRES RODRIGUEZ.
THEY'RE THE ONES THAT ARE OFF ON THE THIRD FLOOR, TUCKED AWAY, DOING ALL THIS STUFF.
AND SO I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT.
THEN ALSO, THE DEPARTMENT HEADS AND THEIR PHYSICAL TEAMS, LAST YEAR WAS A REALLY TOUGH YEAR WHEN WE ASKED OUR DEPARTMENT HEADS TO GO THROUGH, AND I REMEMBER HAVING A CONVERSATION TO REALLY CUT DOWN THEIR BUDGETS, AND I REMEMBER HAVING A CONVERSATION WITH OUR REGISTRAR OF VOTERS WHO SAID WHEN HE WENT DOWN AND LOOKED AT EVERY SINGLE LINE, HE FOUND LIKE $600 OUT OF HIS BUDGET FOR A COPIER.
I THINK IT WAS 600 OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
I THOUGHT, MAN, IF WE HAVE DEDICATED DEPARTMENT HEADS LIKE THAT THAT ARE FINDING THAT TYPE OF STUFF, THEN WE HAVE A REALLY GOOD TEAM.
I REALLY WANT TO THANK OUR DEPARTMENT HEADS.
AND I ECHO WHAT MY COLLEAGUE, SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA SAID, ONCE IN A GENERATION MONEY WAS SPENT ON ONE TIME INVESTMENTS OR ONCE IN A GENERATION PROJECTS, AND I THINK THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.
BUT THEN HE ALSO MENTIONED THAT SUBVENTED THE FUNDS.
THOSE CUTS THAT WE HAD THAT WORKSHOP IN JUNE, I BELIEVE, WHERE WE WENT THROUGH AND LOOKED AT WHAT THE IMPACTS ARE GOING TO BE. AND I THINK IT'S COMING.
THE SAD PART ABOUT IT IS THOSE SUBVENTED DEPARTMENTS ARE REALLY THE DEPARTMENTS THAT ARE HELPING PEOPLE.
I MEAN, WE'RE ALL IN THE PEOPLE BUSINESS, BUT ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO HSA, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, PUBLIC HEALTH, ALL OF THAT STUFF.
I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE RECOGNIZE THAT, IN WORKFORCE, DEVELOPMENT, ALL THAT STUFF.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE LOOK AT THINGS.
ON ONE OF THE SLIDES VANESSA HAD PUT UP THERE WAS, THE NET COUNTY COST AND THE ONGOING COSTS, AND ALL THE ONGOING COST WITH ONE TIME MONEY IS VERY CONCERNING TO ME.
[02:20:04]
I THINK FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY IS SOMETHING THAT WE REALLY NEED TO BE COGNIZANT OF, BECAUSE WHEN YOU GET INTO A POSITION TO WHERE I'VE BEEN ON WHEN I WAS ON THE CITY COUNCIL IN 2010 AND I'VE SAID THIS MULTIPLE TIMES BEFORE, BUT HAVING TO LAY PEOPLE OFF IS THE WORST THING TO DO EVER.BUT FOR THE SUSTAINABILITY OF THE CITY, WE HAD TO DO IT AT THE TIME, AND I REFUSED TO DO THAT.
THAT'S WHY I'M GLAD THAT WE HAVE THAT POLICY IN PLACE TO KEEP OUR RESERVES WITHIN A CERTAIN LEVEL.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE CAN'T THAT MONEY IS THERE, BUT IT'S LOCKED IN THERE.
WE CAN'T SPEND IT UNLESS THERE'S A PLAN TO REIMBURSE IT.
I THINK THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT, BUT I ALSO THINK IT GETS THE POINT TO WHERE WE HAVE TO DO REALLY GOOD JOB, BUT THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TASKED TO DO.
THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF OUR JOB IS TO MAKE SURE WE'RE DOING IT.
AND I MENTIONED THIS, BUT WE DO KNOW THAT WE LIVE IN THE CHALLENGING TIMES LIE AHEAD OF US.
BUT, LAST YEAR, THANKS TO THE SACRIFICES MADE BY OUR EMPLOYEES, I BELIEVE THAT WE ARE IN A STRONGER POSITION TO NAVIGATE THE UNCERTAINTY AHEAD WHILE MAINTAINING OUR ESSENTIAL SERVICES.
THE BUDGET INVEST IN PUBLIC SAFETY, HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, INFRASTRUCTURE AND PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT FAMILIES AND STRENGTHEN OUR ECONOMY.
I BELIEVE THIS IS A PLAN ROOTED IN RESPONSIBILITY, RESILIENCE, AND SERVICE.
I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S REALLY REALLY WELL DONE BY OUR DEPARTMENT HEADS.
AGAIN, IT'S NOT JUST THE DEPARTMENT HEADS.
IT'S EVERY SINGLE EMPLOYEE THAT'S OUT THERE. PLAYS A PART IN THIS.
WE TAKE WHEN WE GET THIS INFORMATION, WE DON'T OPERATE IN SILOS, LIKE I SAID EARLIER.
IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO GO TALK TO OUR CONSTITUENTS AND SEE WHAT THE PRIORITIES OF THE CONSTITUENTS, BECAUSE WE GET TO TAKE THAT BACK TO THE DEPARTMENT HEADS AND LISTEN TO, HEY, THIS IS WHAT OUR CONSTITUENTS ARE TELLING US.
THIS IS A PRIORITY FOR THEM. WHAT CAN WE DO? IS THERE MONEY AVAILABLE HERE TO PROVIDE THIS OR PROVIDE THAT? IF IT'S NO, THEN THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY, BUT IT'S ALSO OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX WHEN IT COMES TO SOME OF THESE THINGS AND TO LOOK FOR THOSE FUNDS AND TO ADVOCATE FOR THOSE FUNDS, WHETHER IT'S IN WASHINGTON, DC OR SACRAMENTO.
I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'RE COMMITTED TO DO.
WITH THAT, AGAIN, I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO OUR DEPARTMENT HEADS, STAFF, EMPLOYEES, THE COMMUNITY, BECAUSE AND MY COLLEAGUES.
WE TAKE THIS VERY SERIOUSLY, AND WE MAY NOT ALWAYS AGREE ON CERTAIN THINGS, BUT WE DO KNOW THAT WE HAVE THE DISTRICTS, OUR DISTRICTS IN MERCED COUNTY IN GENERAL, IN OUR HEARTS AND DO THE BEST WE CAN.
WITH THAT, I HAVE A MOTION BY SUPERVISOR PEREIRA AND A SECOND BY SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA.
WE'LL GO AHEAD AND CALL FOR THE VOTE.
PLEASE RECORD THE VOTE. THE MOTION UNANIMOUSLY CARRIES.
THE FINAL BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025/2026 IS NOW ADOPTED, AND THE HEARING IS NOW CLOSED.
AT THIS TIME, WE WILL HAVE BOARD REPORTS STARTING WITH SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA. YEAH.
[REPORTS/BOARD DIRECTION]
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. AS MY PREDECESSOR USED TO ALWAYS SAY, THE PROPOSED BUDGET IS STAFF'S BUDGET.
THE FINAL BUDGET IS WHEN IT BECOMES THE SUPERVISORS BUDGET.
THE BUDGET HAS OFFICIALLY TRANSFERRED OVER TO A BOARD OF SUPERVISORS BUDGET, MEANING THAT, OUR NAME WILL BE ON THE PAPER WHEN SOMEBODY COMES BACK 100 YEARS FROM NOW AND LOOKS AT IT.
A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU IS, FIRST OFF, I JUST WANT TO THANK STAFF, NOT ONLY THE BUDGET STAFF, THE CEO STAFF, THE PEOPLE THAT WORK ON AND WORK WITH ALL DEPARTMENTS, BUT ALL DEPARTMENTS, YOUR FISCAL PEOPLE, AND ALL OUR EMPLOYEES FOR GOING DOWN THIS ROAD WITH US AS WE CONTINUE TO FIGHT THROUGH ANOTHER YEAR IN THE GREAT STATE OF CALIFORNIA AND IN MERCED COUNTY.
ALSO, I HAD THE PLEASURE OF, I'VE GONE TO A LOT OF FESTAS IN MY LIFE, AND I'VE BEEN TO THE OM FESTA, WHICH IS OUR LADY MIRACLES FESTA AND GUSTIN, WHICH IS LIKE THE GRANDDADDY OF AMAL FESTAS.
AND THIS YEAR, A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE, KEVIN SORS AND HIS WIFE, SHIN, THEY WERE THE PRESIDENT OF THE FESTA THIS YEAR, AND BECAUSE OF OUR FRIENDSHIP, HE ASKED ME TO BE A LITTLE BIT MORE INVOLVED IN THE FESTA THAN I TYPICALLY AM TO SHOW UP ON SUNDAY OR ON SATURDAY A AN AUCTION.
I'VE NEVER REALLY BEEN INVOLVED LIKE FROM START TO FINISH.
AND I GOT TO TELL YOU THERE'S A REASON THAT IT IS THE GRANDDADDY OF A MALL.
IT'S A WELL RUN ORGANIZATION THROUGH THEIR CATTLE AUCTION AND THEIR AUCTION ON SUNDAY.
THEY RAISED CLOSE TO A QUARTER MILLION DOLLAR OVER THE WEEKEND.
AND I KNOW, FOR THE CITY AUGUSTINE AND MY COLLEAGUES DISTRICT, IT IS A HUGE ECONOMIC DRIVER FOR THAT COMMUNITY BECAUSE YOU CAN'T GO DOWN THE STREETS OF
[02:25:01]
GUSTIN WITHOUT SEEING AN RV PARKED HERE AND CARS EVERYWHERE.AND SO REALLY GREAT TO BE A PART OF THAT, AND CONGRATULATIONS TO KEVIN AND SHAN SORES ON SUCH A GREAT JOB.
THIS PAST SATURDAY, I HAD A COFFEE IN DOS PALOS, AND I JUST WANT TO THANK THE RESIDENTS OF DOS PALOS FOR COMING OUT AND GETTING TO HEAR SOME OF THEIR ISSUES.
I WANT TO THANK THE CEO, HENDRICKSON FOR COMING OUT AND LISTENING TO SOME OF THOSE.
AND I BELIEVE AMY, YOU GOT AN E MAIL ON A PHONE.
IS PRETTY HIGH PRIORITY FOR THE FOLKS IN DOS PALOS, THAT WHEN THEY CALLED THE LIBRARY, THEY COULDN'T GET NO ONE TO ANSWER, AND I THINK THAT MIGHT HAVE JUST BEEN MAYBE JUST AN OVERSIGHT OR WHATEVER IT IS, BUT I ASKED THEM, WHY DO YOU NEED TO CALL THE LIBRARY AND THEY'RE LIKE, P, BECAUSE IF I WANT TO GO GET A BOOK, I WANT TO MAKE SURE IT'S THERE BEFORE I GO DOWN THERE.
AND SO MR. CARNES WAS VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT THAT.
THANK YOU FOR FOLLOWING UP ON THAT.
>> THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY IN DOS PALOS HAS NOW MOVED INTO WHAT THEY'RE OFFICIALLY, WE'RE CALLING IT THE LIBRARY, WHICH CONFUSED PEOPLE BECAUSE IT WAS THE OLD LIBRARY.
NOW IT'S CALLED THE EXTENSION.
THEY HAVE THE EXTENSION OVER THERE, AND THEY'RE PRETTY EXCITED TO KEEP SHOWING OFF THE HISTORY OF DOS PALOS, AND SO A LOT OF WORK GOING ON IN THERE, AS THEY GET EXHIBITS UP AND READY, THEY'RE GOING TO LET US KNOW SO THAT WE CAN GO OUT THERE AND CELEBRATE THAT WITH THEM.
THIS PAST TWO WEEKS AGO, FOLLOWING OUR BOARD MEETING, I WAS UP IN SACRAMENTO FOR OUR STATE ASSOCIATION COUNTY BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING.
THAT IS WHERE IT WAS HIGHLIGHTED ON SOME OF THE ISSUES ON THE ELECTION STUFF OF THE WORK THAT CSAC AND RCRC DID IN MAKING SURE THAT COUNTIES GOT PRELOADED FUNDING TO PUT ON THIS CRAZY ELECTION THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE HERE IN NOVEMBER, AND THEN THIS PAST WEEK, I ATTENDED THE RCRC CONFERENCE WITH SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES.
I ALWAYS SAY AS EXECUTIVE MEMBER OF THE CSAC BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ON EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I REALLY LIKE ABOUT GOING TO RCRC IS THAT BECAUSE IT'S A SMALLER GROUP, YOU GO TO THESE CONFERENCES AND SOMETIMES THERE'S LIKE FOUR OR FIVE DIFFERENT SESSIONS GOING ON AT ONE TIME, AND SO YOU GOT TO KIND OF PICK AND CHOOSE WHICH ONES YOU THINK ARE GOING TO BE MOST BENEFICIAL TO YOU.
ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS FOR RCRC IS ALL OF THEIR SESSIONS ARE HELD AS A GROUP, AND SO IT'S VERY INFORMATIVE AND ALWAYS LOOKING FOR LITTLE NUGGETS TO FIGURE OUT THINGS TO BRING BACK TO OUR COUNTY, AND I LIKE TO JOKE WITH COLLEAGUES AND NOT ONLY MY COLLEAGUES, BUT COLLEAGUES THAT WE GO THERE WITH IS MISERY LOVE'S COMPANY.
WHAT'S THE MOST COMMON QUESTION THAT I GET AS A SUPERVISOR? WELL, WHO DO YOU SUPERVISE.
A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT WE DO, AND SO WHEN I GO HOME AND I TALK TO MY WIFE ABOUT SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT WE'RE FACING AT THE COUNTY, MAYBE SHE DOESN'T QUITE UNDERSTAND THOSE AND I HAVE TO EXPLAIN IT TO HER.
WHEN YOU GO TO ONE OF THESE CONFERENCES, YOU TALK TO ANOTHER SUPERVISOR.
THEY'RE EXPERIENCING SOME OF THE SAME PAINS, AND YOU HAVE SOMEONE THAT YOU CONVENT TO, AND THEY CONVENT TO YOU, AND THEREFORE, LIKE MISERY LOVES COMPANY.
WE UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER'S PAIN.
BUT DID ENJOY MY TIME THERE UP IN BEAUTIFUL NORTHERN CALIFORNIA.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. IT'S BEEN A BUSY COUPLE OF WEEKS, AND IT WAS A PROJECT THAT WE WORKED ON FOR A LONG TIME, AND SO I'D LIKE TO THANK NATHAN BRAY, LINDSEY JOHNSON, THE DELHI MAC.
WE HAVE TWO MEMBERS HERE, BLANCA LOZANO AND HEIDI SANCHEZ.
THE REST OF THE COMMUNITY IN DELHI, WE OPENED UP A COMMUNITY HALL.
SOMETIMES YOU WORK ON STUFF AND YOU WORK ON STUFF, AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN SOMETHING MAKES IT SELF AVAILABLE.
MUE HAS A HEAD START PROGRAM IN DEL HYATT SHATTUCK PARK, AND THEY HAD A BUILDING THEY WEREN'T USING.
NATHAN SAYS, HEY, WE'VE GOT SOME FUNDS.
IF WE COULD GET THAT BUILDING, WE CAN REMODEL IT, AND WE CAN OPEN IT UP, AND SO LAST WEEK, WE DID THAT.
DELHI OFTENTIMES FEELS LIKE THEY'RE FORGOTTEN.
I DON'T THINK THEY ARE, AND SICILIA IS HERE. HI, SICILIA.
EVERY COMMUNITY FEELS FORGOTTEN BECAUSE THERE'S JUST NOT ENOUGH DOLLARS TO GO AROUND.
THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY THAT HELPED MAKE THAT HAPPEN.
I'D LIKE TO CONGRATULATE JOSH PEDROSO.
HE'S THE CHAIR OF FIRST FIVE, AND THEY HELD THEIR CHILDREN'S SUMMIT, IT'S CALLED HANDS ON HEROES, SO THEY HAVE FIVE AREAS THAT THEY RECOGNIZE FOLKS FOR, AND YOU GUYS PICKED OUTSTANDING PEOPLE.
TWO OF THEM, IF YOU SAW THEM WALKING DOWN THE STREET, YOU WOULD SAY THEY WERE HANDICAPPED.
YOU LOOKED AT THEM ON THE STAGE AND READ THEIR BIO AND WHAT THEY DO.
[02:30:01]
THEY ARE AWESOME. ANYWAYS, IT'S JUST REALLY KIND OF NEAT TO SEE PEOPLE SUCCEED.WE HAVE A NEW BUSINESS THAT'S OPENING UP IN THE, WELL, IT'S NOT ACTUALLY IN THE INSIDE DELHI.
IT'S OUT NEAR THE HIGHWAY, BUT IT'S CALLED NITRICITY.
THEY HEAT THEM UP, AND THEN THEY USE ELECTRICITY TO CAPTURE THE NITROGEN, AND SO THEN THEY'LL TAKE THAT NITROGEN AND REINSTITUTE IT BACK IN THE SOIL.
IF YOU WERE TO TAKE SOMETHING LIKE AMINLE OR AMMON SHELLS, WHAT THEY USE, SOMETIMES IT COULD TAKE 4-6 YEARS OR LONGER TO BREAK DOWN IN THE SOIL AND TO HAVE THE NUTRIENTS BACK AVAILABLE TO THE PLANTS AGAIN.
WELL, THIS PROCESS MAKES THEM AVAILABLE AS SOON AS THAT PRODUCT GETS PUT BACK OUT ON THE GROUND.
THERE'S SOME PATENTS INVOLVED, AND SO IT JUST KIND OF NICE TO SEE SOME INNOVATION COMING INTO THE AG SPACE, AND ESPECIALLY INTO A COMMUNITY LIKE DELHI, WHO WANTS JOBS, WHO WANTS TO GROW, AND WHO WANTS TO PROGRESS.
MET WITH CHRISTOPHER JENSEN AND DISCUSSED OR NOT DISCUSSED, GOT AN UPDATE ON CP 42, AND THAT'S A COUNTY INVESTMENT INTO A CITY REGIONAL PARK, AND IT WAS GREAT TO SEE THE PROGRESS AND HEAR ALL THE GOOD THINGS.
ATTENDED RCRC, WHEN YOU GO TO THOSE CONFERENCES, YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO BE THE VALUABLE NUGGET, AND I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S GOING TO BE VALUABLE, BUT I FELT LIKE AT LEAST I WAS HEARD.
I MET WITH HEATHER MURO, AND SHE IS WITH THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION, AND SO I ADVOCATED ON BEHALF OF EVERYBODY IN THIS ROOM AND EVERYBODY THAT LIVES IN MERCED COUNTY THAT HAS PG&E AS THEIR UTILITY PROVIDER.
PEOPLE ARE HAVING TO MAKE A CHOICE BETWEEN FOOD, AND AIR CONDITIONING, AND AND I THINK THE PROCESS IS FLAWED, AND IT IS THE WELL, IT'S THE STATE LEGISLATURE AND THE CPUC'S FAULT, AND I SHARED I SHARED SOME THINGS, AND IF YOU'RE INTERESTED HERE, NATH, LET ME KNOW AND I'LL EXPLAIN THE ITEMS THAT I SHARED WITH HER.
I GOT AN EMAIL BACK FROM HER THE NEXT DAY THANKING ME FOR SHARING WHAT US AS CITIZENS GO THROUGH AND HOW WE ARE AFFECTED BY THE CPUC, AND AND I DON'T KNOW IF THE CHANGES WILL COME, BUT AT LEAST SOMEBODY WHO HAS A CHANCE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE HEARD ME SAY WHAT I THINK IS ON OUR MINDS.
THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. APPRECIATE IT.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. JUST ONE THING I WANTED TO MENTION TOO, IS I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY THAT CAME OUT TODAY FROM ALL THE DISTRICTS TO ADDRESS THE BOARD.
IT'S THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY, SO I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME HERE, AND SOMETIMES DIFFICULT TO GET UP AND DO PUBLIC SPEAKING.
SOMETIMES IT'S DIFFICULT FOR ME, SO I DO APPRECIATE EVERYBODY THAT CAME AND MADE PUBLIC COMMENT AND LET US KNOW WHAT YOUR FEELINGS ARE.
JUST REAL QUICK, I WENT TO THE SANTA ANA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEETING WHERE WE DISCUSSED A COUPLE OF PROJECTS.
THERE'S GOING TO BE A LIGHT AND A CROSSWALK THERE.
IT'S GOING TO HELP WHEN YOU'RE DRIVING INTO SANTA ANA, IT'S HARD TO GET ON 33. COMING IN NEXT YEAR.
IT'S REALLY EXCITING FOR THE COMMUNITY.
I'M EXCITED TO GET THAT PROJECT GOING AND DONE, AND WE ALSO DISCUSS THE SANTA ANA PARK, WHICH I'M WORKING TO TRY TO MAKE A REALITY.
I'M STARTING FROM SCRATCH, BUT I'M OUT THERE ADVOCATING FOR IT.
OTHER THAN THAT, SO THAT'S ALL I HAVE, CHAIR. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I HAD THE HONOR OF BEING IN WASHINGTON, DC.
THE WEEK BEFORE LAST, AS YOU KNOW, I'M THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY POLICY COUNCIL, WHICH IS THE EIGHT COUNTIES IN THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY, ALL COMPRISED OF COUNTY SUPERVISORS AND MAYORS THROUGHOUT THE VALLEY.
WE WENT IN THERE WITH A VERY HEAVY ASK WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND EPA.
THE MODELING THAT WE GOT ACCEPTED BY SECRETARY LEE ZELDIN.
I THINK IT WAS ON A TUESDAY IF I LOOK OUT IN THE AUDIENCE.
I THINK IT WAS ON A TUESDAY, AND BY FRIDAY, THE PRESIDENT HAD MADE A NEW RECOMMENDATION TO IT THAT ACTUALLY SHUT US DOWN.
BUT WITH MY COLLEAGUES, THE ATWATER MERCED EXPRESSWAY, IT WAS ACTUALLY A REGIONAL APPROACH, BUT THE ATWATER MERCED EXPRESSWAY IS AT THE TIP OF THE SPHERE OF THE PROBLEM, AND WE SAW IT COMING AS IT WAS HAPPENING WHENEVER HE MADE THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS.
[02:35:01]
BUT WE WERE ABLE TO MEET WITH OUR ENTIRE CONGRESSIONAL STAFF.THE VALLEY DELEGATION OF THE CONGRESSMAN.
EVERYBODY IS ON BOARD, AND WE'LL BE WRITING A LETTER IN OUR SUPPORT.
WHAT PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND, NOT ONLY DID THIS STOP THE ATWATER MERCED EXPRESSWAY, BUT IT ACTUALLY STOPPED EVERY PROJECT IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.
THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE ADMINISTRATION ACTUALLY STREAMLINED THE NIPA PROCESS THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THE NATION.
BUT NOT SO MUCH FOR CALIFORNIA, AND THE ONLY REASON IT DIDN'T FOR CALIFORNIA, WE USE A DIFFERENT COMPUTER PROGRAM.
THE CALCULUS PROJECTIONS ARE A LOT DIFFERENT THAN WE DO HERE IN CALIFORNIA THAN THEY DO IN THE REST OF THE NATION.
RIGHT NOW, WE GAVE THEM MANY RECOMMENDATIONS.
IT WAS DEFINITELY A VERY FRUITFUL CONVERSATION.
MOVING FORWARD, I THINK WE MADE A BIG DIFFERENCE.
WE WILL SEE THAT IN THE NEAR FUTURE, HOPEFULLY.
ALSO ATTENDED THE RCRC CONFERENCE, ACTUALLY, ON THE CHAIRMAN OF NATIONAL HOME BUYERS FUND AND GOLDEN STATE FINANCE AUTHORITY.
WE ARE STILL MOVING FORWARD WITH THE DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR DOCTORS, AND PAS AND NURSES WITHIN RURAL COUNTIES.
IT'S A PROJECT THAT I BROUGHT UP, AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE ALL COUNTY EMPLOYEES KNOW ABOUT 0% DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE THAT WE HAVE FOR OUR RURAL COUNTIES THAT WE HAVE FOR ALL OUR EMPLOYEES.
I THINK THE BIGGEST THING WAS MEETING WITH PATTI POPPE, THE CEO OF PG&E.
SHE TOOK A LOT OF HEAT FROM THE 40 RURAL COUNTIES, AND AS YOU KNOW, THESE GUYS CAN BE VERY HEAVY HANDED IN THEIR COMMENTS, BUT I WAS VERY IMPRESSED IN HOW SHE HANDLED THE WHOLE SITUATION, AND I LEARNED ABOUT THE DEBT CURVE.
I DON'T KNOW IF ANYBODY UNDERSTANDS THE DEBT CURVE.
CALIFORNIA HAS DONE SUCH A GOOD JOB WITH SOLAR ENERGY THAT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE HIGHS AND THE LOWS IN THE MID DAY IN THE DEBT CURVE, WHEN ALL SOLAR IS GOING, WE CANNOT PRODUCE ENOUGH ELECTRICITY TO STAY IN THE SYSTEM TO GENERATE THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE AREA, AND SO WHAT HAPPENS IS DURING THIS TIME, WE ACTUALLY HAVE TO GIVE OUR ELECTRICITY AWAY, AND WE ACTUALLY PAY, FOR EXAMPLE, THE STATE OF ARIZONA TO TAKE OUR ELECTRICITY DURING THAT TIME.
THAT'S BECAUSE WE'VE DONE SUCH A GOOD JOB WITH SOLAR.
THAT IT STAYS WITHIN THE HOMES THAT ARE PRODUCING THE SOLAR ENERGY THAT WE CAN'T DO IT.
THE CPUC HAS A PROBLEM WITH IT.
PG&E HAS IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM WITH IT AS WELL, AND SO HOPEFULLY WE CAN ALL GET TOGETHER AND MAKE THAT A LOT BETTER. BUT THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. JUST A HANDFUL OF QUICK QUICK COMMENTS.
FIRST, WE'D LIKE TO JUST SAY THAT ON OCTOBER 7TH PER THE BOARD'S REQUEST, STAFF IS PREPARING A COUPLE OF PRESENTATIONS RELATED TO ILLEGAL FOOD VENDOR ENFORCEMENT, AS WELL AS ILLEGAL DUMPING THAT WILL BE COMING ON OCTOBER 7TH.
TWO, REALLY ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD.
WE'D LIKE TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONGRATULATE NIRORN THAN FOR BECOMING THE NEW CITY MANAGER FOR THE CITY OF LOS BANOS.
AGAIN ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD, CONGRATULATIONS TO HIM, AND THEN LASTLY, WE'D WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY AGAIN ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD TO THANK DR. IVANA BROWN.
FOR HER 11 PLUS YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO THIS COUNTY.
>> FIRST BEGINNING AS OUR DIRECTOR OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND RECOVERY SERVICES, AND THEN AS SHE GETS READY TO DEPART FROM COUNTY SERVICE AS OUR DIRECTOR OF HSA.
I HAVE WORKED WITH IVANA FOR A LONG TIME.
SHE HAS LED WITH KINDNESS AND COMPASSION, AND WILL BE SORELY MISSED.
I JUST WANT TO SAY, CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE ON BEHALF OF OBVIOUSLY THE BOARD, BEHALF OF EACH OF THE DEPARTMENT HEADS, ON BEHALF OF MARCY AND I, AGAIN, FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP, AND JUST WISH YOU NOTHING BUT BRIGHT DAYS AHEAD.
>> I HAVE A COUPLE OF THINGS HERE.
I ATTENDED THE CHILDREN'S SUMMIT LAST WEEK, AND I THINK THAT, ONE OF THE HANDS ON HERO AWARD PER PEOPLE THAT GOT IT, SHE'S OWNED AND OPERATED A CHILDCARE FACILITY AT HER HOUSE SINCE GEEZ.
WHAT'D SHE SAY? LIKE, 47 YEARS, AND IT'S IN LAS ANAS, AND SHE WAS SAYING THAT SHE TRIED TO RETIRE, BUT SHE JUST MISSED THE CHAOS, AND SO SHE OPENED BACK UP, AND SHE RECOGNIZED A HUGE NEED WITHIN THE COMMUNITY, AND SO I THOUGHT THAT WAS REALLY COOL, ALONG WITH THE OTHER WINNERS.
LAST WEEK, I ALSO HAD THE OPPORTUNITY.
I KNOW IT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE MUCH, BUT FROM WEAVER ELEMENTARY TO COLEN VALLEY, THERE WAS NEVER A SIDEWALK, AND I STARTED WORKING ON IT WHEN I WAS ON THE CITY COUNCIL.
COUNCIL MEMBER DUPONT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE THAT WORK, AND WE WERE ABLE TO GET THAT SIDEWALK COMPLETED,
[02:40:03]
AND I KNOW IT'S A CITY PROJECT, BUT RIGHT ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THOSE HOUSE OF THAT SIDEWALK IS ACTUALLY COUNTY.THIS JUST IS GOING TO INCREASE SAFETY OF THE KIDS WALKING TO SCHOOL, WHICH I THINK IS IMPORTANT.
BECAUSE IT WAS JUST A DIRT I WAS JUST WALKING ON DIRT, AND SO NOW TO HAVE THAT SIDEWALK ON THAT WALKWAY, I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.
ALTHOUGH MY SON DOES CROSS COUNTRY AT GOLDEN VALLEY, AND HE HATES THAT SIDEWALK BECAUSE HE SAYS IT NEVER ENDS.
WHEN THEY HAVE TO RUN IT, HE'S LIKE, THERE'S NO END IN SIGHT, BUT HE CAN GET OVER IT.
I'M GLAD THAT SUPERVISOR SILVEIRA MENTIONED THE GUSTINE FESTA, EVERY YEAR, AND I A MENTION ABOUT THIS, BUT THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE VOTES OF THE YEAR.
WE HAVE TO SHUT DOWN BECAUSE THIS THING IS SO BIG, THAT WE HAVE TO SHUT DOWN THE LIBRARY FOR, I THINK IT'S LIKE TWO DAYS JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE THE PATH FOR THEIR PARADE AND ALL THAT STUFF.
IT HIGHLIGHTS THE CULTURE THAT WE HAVE IN THIS COUNTY, WHICH I THINK IS REALLY COOL TO DO.
NOT THIS WEEK, BUT THE WEEK PRIOR, I WAS ASKED TO GO TO THE MERCED COUNTY FOOD BANK FUND RAISER, AND THEY ASKED ME TO SUBMIT SOME CHILI FOR A CHILI CONTEST, AND I CAN HAPPILY SAY I DIDN'T WIN, BUT I BEAT MAYOR SERRATO, WHICH IS ALWAYS A HIGHLIGHT.
BUT THEN I WAS ALSO VERY SURPRISED THAT IT WAS FUNNY THE DAY BEFORE MY WIFE ASKED ME, SHE WAS DO YOU LIKE SURPRISES, AND I'M THINKING, WHAT'S GOING ON? SHE WOULDN'T TELL ME, AND THEN WE GOT THERE, AND I FOUND OUT THAT I HAD WON THE HUNGER HERRO AWARD FOR MY ADVOCACY AND COMMITMENT TO BETTER MERCED COUNTY, SO I THOUGHT THAT WAS PRETTY COOL.
ON MONDAY, I ALSO MET WITH CHRIS JENSEN FROM THE CITY, BUT I WENT AND TOURED CP 42, AND IF YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO OUT TO CP 42 AND JUST LOOK AT IT, THE THING IS MASSIVE.
IT'S REALLY BIG, AND THAT'S NOT EVEN ALL PHASES COMPLETE.
WHEN IT'S ALL DONE, I THINK IT'S LIKE 77 ACRES, AND IT WILL BE SOMETHING THAT MERCED COUNTY AND THE CITY ARE GOING TO BE VERY PROUD OF, AND THEN I TOO WANTED TO END BY SAYING, CONGRATULATIONS TO IVANA.
I'VE SERVED WITH HER ON THE FIRST FIVE.
THE FUNNY THING IS, WHEN I FOUND OUT, I SAW HER LIKE THE VERY NEXT DAY, AND I WAS LIKE, I'M NOT HAPPY WITH YOU.
BUT IN ALL REALITY, I WISH YOU NOTHING BUT THE BEST OF LUCK, AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE IN MERCED COUNTY, AND WITH THAT, THIS CONCLUDES THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING AND FINAL BUDGET HEARING FOR SEPTEMBER 23RD, 2025.
THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING WILL BE HELD AT 10:00 A.M. ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2025. HAVE A GOOD DAY.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.