Countywide : Department Heads Face More Cuts

Already reeling from three rounds of cuts in previous years, Ventura County department heads must reduce their budgets for the coming fiscal year by another 2.5% to 5%, county supervisors said Tuesday.

The cuts were ordered to head off a potential fiscal crunch later this summer when the state announces the extent of its reductions in funding to the county, which depends on the state for about 40% of its revenue. The state, which has yet to work out its budget, is facing a $9-billion to $10-billion budget deficit this year due to the recession, said Richard Wittenberg, the county’s chief administrative officer.

The county’s budget must be submitted to the state by Sept. 1.

Supervisors are asking for department heads to prepare two sets of budgets to see what programs would be affected at each level of cuts, said Supervisor Maria VanderKolk, a member of the budget subcommittee.

Board Chairman John K. Flynn said county officials must consider cuts in all programs, large and small, that are not mandated or absolutely necessary.