Los Osos Valley view from Morro Bay Hills. Photo by Daniel Kleck.
Photo by Daniel Kleck.

Report: County Operates Within Budget in First Quarter

Author: Administrative Office
Date: 12/16/2019 10:41 AM

Though County was operating within budget at the end of the first quarter this fiscal year, some issues emerged that could impact the County's General Fund by the end of the fiscal year.

The County was operating within budget at the end of the first quarter this fiscal year (July through August). However, some issues emerged that could impact the County’s General Fund by the end of the fiscal year, according to a recent report providing an overview of the County’s financial position.

“It is typical for some significant financial issues to emerge within the first three months of the fiscal year,” said County Administrative Analyst Lisa Howe, who presented the FY 2019-20 First Quarter Financial Status Report to the Board and public on December 10. “While most issues won’t have a significant financial impact, some are expected to affect the General Fund.”

Within the first three months of the fiscal year, the County spent 19% of its budgeted General Fund expenditures and received 11% of its budgeted General Fund revenue. This is typical for this time of year, according to the report, as the County typically receives much of its revenue in the second and third quarters of the year. The County also received $125,260 in donations and gift funds for programs and services related to animal services, community parks, libraries, and golf.

Three issues emerged that may impact the County’s General Fund by the end of the year:

  1. The Sheriff's Office anticipates a $3.1 million overage in unbudgeted salary and benefit increases and overtime expenses. While the Sheriff’s Office will begin a pilot program in the second quarter to address overtime, the County won’t realize savings until FY 2020-21.
  2. Social Services anticipates a $300,000 overage in unbudgeted expenses related to the General Assistance program. As a result of a Board-approved policy change last fiscal year that expanded eligibility for the General Assistance program, the number of caseloads increased by 82% in the first quarter, which has also increased administrative costs related to staffing the program.
  3. Based on first quarter spending, Parks and Recreation anticipates that some amount of the Board-approved General Fund subsidy (up to $485,000) will be needed to maintain an adequate cash balance for the Golf Program.

After Ms. Howe presented the quarterly report, the Board approved a resolution amending the list of positions at the County and approved various financial actions.

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