From left, Supervisors Lynda Hopkins, James Gore, Chris Coursey, David Rabbitt and Susan Gorin
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously June 14 to adopt its Fiscal Year 2024-2025 balanced budget, representing approximately $2.5 billion in total expenditures, a 10% increase from the prior fiscal year.
The final budget adds 43 full-time County positions for a total of 4,502 employees.
“The adopted budget is largely consistent with the prior fiscal year budget but adjusted for increased cost of operations and avoids any reductions to core county services,” county officials said in a press release announcing the budget.
Supervisor David Rabbitt, chair of the Board of Supervisors, said the budget is balanced and maintains essential services for county residents.
“State and federal funding make up the majority of the County’s budget,” said Rabbitt. “The fiscal decisions in the County’s budget will take care of our employees, safeguard public services and allow us to better navigate any future economic uncertainty.”
The adopted budget supplements the budget originally recommended by county staff with $4 million in ongoing discretionary funding to support department requests for program restorations and improvements, including:
- $923,000 for the Department of Emergency Management to provide funding to add two employees to support community preparedness and planning, and for expenses.
- $651,000 for the Office of Equity to add three staff to execute the Board-approved language access plan and community engagement improvements.
- $834,000 to support justice services, including funding for the Family Justice Center overseen by the District Attorney’s Office.
Additionally, the board allocated $27.6 million in one-time funding for departmental initiatives and board priorities including:
- $11.5 million to support relocation of the county’s Public Health Lab and morgue from the former Chanate Road property to the main County campus.
- $6.3 million to support Sheriff Office operations by funding a contract with Solano County to ensure sufficient capacity for inmates; to provide funding to establish a narcotics pilot program; to support the existing hiring incentive program, and to provide essential telecommunications upgrades.
- $2.1 million for contracts with community partners to provide support for equitable health and wellness, housing, support, and immigrant rights, and environmental cleanup.
- $1 million to increase FEMA audit reserves.
- $788,794 to increase County General Fund reserves.
