County must cut $3.3M from budget

Tuolumne County should get a better picture on Tuesday of what will likely be another tough budget.

County Administrator Craig Pedro is scheduled to present a number of possible strategies to the county Board of Supervisors for closing what is expected to be a $3.3 million annual budget gap his office has predicted.

Those strategies, according to a memo from Pedro’s office to the board, could include prolonging temporary labor concessions set to end in June, further cutting services and eliminating positions at the county level.

Pedro has also recently said this is likely the last round of tough cuts as long-term projections show the local economy evening out.

“Common sense and flexibility will need to be exercised as we turn the corner over the next few years and feel our way into a more stable fiscal environment,” he stated in the memo.

Strategies to be discussed Tuesday include labor concessions on upcoming contracts, eliminating services the private sector can provide, reviewing user fees and tax revenue streams and reducing the labor force and county programs, according to Pedro’s memo.

“I believe that some combination of budget reductions and labor concessions is the right and fair path forward,” he stated.

Also on Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors agenda:

• the appointment of Sarah Carrillo as county counsel.

• setting a timeline and process for finding the next treasurer and tax collector, who will replace the retiring Del Hodges.

• possibly establishing a special board committee to deal with water issues.

• a presentation on an initiative to recruit and retain foster parents.