Budget Hearings for Agencies Delayed

Still hoping criminal justice programs can be spared, Ventura County leaders delayed budget hearings on the sheriff’s and district attorney’s departments until they learn the full extent of state funding cuts.

“I would like to make sure that we have all the numbers,” Supervisor Vicky Howard said. “The other departments know they’re going to get cut, that’s just a given. So we can go ahead with them.”

Scheduled for today, hearings for the two agencies will now be held July 13, well after the state Legislature’s Friday deadline for submitting a final budget to the governor.

As it stands, the state plan could clip $10 million to $12 million from Ventura County’s allocation. Officials are hoping a legislative maneuver will limit some of the cuts.

Still, the County Board of Supervisors has asked each of its agencies to consider the impact of 8% and 18% cuts on their 1995 fiscal year budgets. The deeper reductions would be necessary if the cuts match estimated reductions and the board decided to leave public safety untouched.

“I don’t see criminal justice being hit,” Supervisor John K. Flynn said. “We’ve already made a commitment.”

In March, the board pledged $24 million in sales tax revenue to hire new sheriff’s deputies and prosecutors. He said the county might be able to divert some excess revenue from Proposition 172 sales tax, but should not cut into the money already set aside for public safety.

Other county agencies, however, say they will be hard-pressed to cut into their budgets, especially after five years of cuts. Ventura County Medical Center, along with Public Health and Mental Health departments, will present their budget needs at a hearing today.

On Tuesday, the county board also voted to disband its budget subcommittee, a panel that once yielded influence over spending policy but recently has become redundant as the same information must be presented to the full board.