The Executive Office has presented a proposed budget of $7.5 billion to the Orange County Board of Supervisors with provisions for handling the “extraordinary” circumstances of COVID-19.
“As a result of the unprecedented public health challenges and significant economic impacts resulting from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the budget development process for FY 2020-21 differs from that in prior years,” according to a county press release.
The Fiscal Year (FY) 2020-21 Recommended Budget is the second step of a two-step budget approval process.
According to the county, on June 2, 2020, the Board approved a base budget which set Net County Cost (NCC) limits for departments and included transfers, essential technical adjustments such as position realignment (including deletion of 548 vacant positions), and funding for in-progress, ongoing capital and information technology projects. This permitted the County to make payments in accordance with the approved appropriations when the fiscal year began on July 1, 2020 and provided time for the County to better assess the pandemic’s economic impacts and operational challenges for FY 2020-21, according to the county.
The Executive Office said they plan to present the FY 2020-21 Recommended Budget to the Board of Supervisors during the Public Budget Hearings scheduled for September 1, 2020. The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to adopt the FY 2020-21 Annual Budget at their September 15, 2020 meeting.
In summary, here are the major categories ($M).
• Public Protection $1,541.6 20.4%
• Community Services 3,275.3 43.4%
• Infrastructure & Environmental Resources 1,435.2 19.0%
• General Government Services 215.7 2.9%
• Capital Improvements 169.8 2.3%
• Debt Service 153.7 2.0%
• Insurance, Reserves & Miscellaneous 747.7 9.9%
Total Recommended Budget: $7,539 billion.
“The County will continue to prioritize public health and safety. The combined efforts of the Board of Supervisors and County employees toward proactively addressing the pandemic’s impacts coupled with responsible fiscal management will position the County to anticipate and address challenges as they arise,” said County Executive Officer Frank Kim.
