Marin County Budget Overview
I. Current Budget Information
Looking ahead to FY 2012-13 and beyond:
The actions that we’ve taken over the past several years have put us in a position to make significant progress toward closing what had been a projected $50 million deficit over a five-year period. Now entering the fourth year of our five-year long-term restructuring plan, we have reduced over $30 million of our projected $50 million shortfall and reduced our workforce by over 200 positions (10%). Although we’ve made significant progress, we project future shortfalls for the next three years.
The Board will be conducting public hearings Monday, April 16th from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. in Board Chambers, and continuing Wednesday the 18th and Thursday the 19th from 9 a.m. - Noon both days. The purpose of our FY 2012-13 budget hearings is to: (1) provide a budget update and an overview of the County’s long-term financial position; (2) receive public input and Board direction concerning budget actions; and (3) provide departments the opportunity to discuss their FY 2012-13 performance plans and potential long-term restructuring options to close future year budget shortfalls. Our goal in preparing the budget is to be open and transparent with employees, make recommendations consistent with our long-term priorities, and to be fiscally responsible to the residents we serve. Information to be presented at these hearings is detailed below:
April FY 2012-13 Budget and Performance Planning Hearings
II. Proposed Budgets
III. Common Budget Questions and Answers
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Where do your property taxes go?
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Where does the County get its money?
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How does the County spend its money?
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How has the economic downturn impacted the County?
The economic downturn continues to impact the County in several ways, including:
- A slowdown in property tax revenue, coupled with higher unemployment, resulting in slow to flat economic growth going forward
- Continued State budget reductions and uncertainties
- Increased pension costs, resulting from market losses in pension holdings in 2009, as well as increased costs for retiree health
- Greater demand for County "safety net" services at the same time that counties face further reductions in State funding
County revenues are not keeping pace with the cost of providing our current services. We will need to get smaller to live within our means and adjust our services to maintain our overall quality.
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What has the County done so far to reduce costs?
The County has a tradition of fiscal discipline and has the highest bond rating among California counties. We have already taken the following actions to reduce our costs:
- Enacted a hiring freeze in 2007
- Adopted a lower-cost retiree health plan for new employees in 2008
- Negotiated new, lower cost 2% at 61.25 pension tiers for 5 of 6 miscellaneous bargaining groups in 2011
- Made over $30 million in budget reductions over past four years and eliminated over 240 vacant positions (over 10% of our work force)
- Created a voluntary separation incentive program to increase attrition, which will save over $4 million annually
- Fully implemented two department consolidation efforts - including the new Sheriff-Coroner and Department of Finance
- Adopted a long-term restructuring plan in January 2010 as a guide to help adapt to our new fiscal reality
IV. Budget Presentations and Forums
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