No Deep Cuts Are Seen in O.C.’s Budget

Orange County officials offered a glimpse of next year’s budget Monday, and for the first time in several years no major cuts in jobs or programs were anticipated.

The county’s proposed $4.9-billion budget for fiscal 2005-06 is up more than 6%, a reflection of the state’s more robust economy, said Rob Richardson, assistant to the county’s executive officer. It has room for 188 new positions overall, and most departments will maintain their current funding.

“It is a brighter budget picture,” he said. “But while some of the clouds have cleared, the county will still be watchful.”

Last year, several county departments were forced to lay off employees and vacant jobs went unfilled because of the state budget’s uncertainty.

Previous budget cuts meant the county was better prepared to maintain services and continue paying down the county’s bankruptcy debt, said Steve Dunivent, county budget director.

Last year’s state fiscal crisis meant the county lost about $56 million in property tax revenue that the state kept, a loss that extends through next year, Dunivent said. The departments affected and the amount reduced over the two-year period include the Flood Control District, $4.3 million; Harbors, Beaches and Parks, $3.3 million; and Redevelopment, $1.7 million.

This year, the probation department seeks to add 85 positions and get an additional $1 million to staff and help pay for its new Probation Youth Leadership Academy. Added positions include five each in the district attorney’s office and social services department, 10 in the public defender’s office and 18 at John Wayne Airport.

Before the budget goes to a vote, public hearings will be held, with the first at 9 a.m. Friday at the Hall of Administration. The Board of Supervisors is expect to adopt a budget on June 28.