Orange County Supervisors Approve $5.5 Billion Budget for 2009-10

On Tuesday, the Orange County Board of Supervisors approved a $5.5 billion dollar budget for Fiscal Year 2009-10, a decrease of 18% compared to last year’s budget.

The budget cuts of $1.2 billion are associated with program reductions, fewer employees, cutbacks in services and supplies expenses, restructuring of financial programs, and reductions in capital projects and information technology projects.

As Chair, on behalf of the Board I would like to commend our department heads and our executive management team for working collaboratively on a budget plan that reduces County spending by targeting administrative costs while maintaining our commitment to minimizing direct impacts to the residents of Orange County.

As we continue to monitor what happens with the State budget and the ever-changing economy, the Board recognizes this budget is a work in progress. We will be working closely with each of our departments throughout the year to assure that our shared goal of balancing reductions in a way that maintains an adequate level of service and public protection is met.

To that end, I’m pleased to report that today’s Orange County Register editorial commends the Board of Supervisors for passing a budget that is fiscally sound and that serves as “a statewide model for responsible budgeting in the midst of a tough recession”.

As always, it is an honor to serve as your County Supervisor. Please do not hesitate to share with me any questions or comments.

Sincerely,

Pat Bates
Chair, Orange County Board of Supervisors