Alameda County Supervisors Approve $2.5 Billion Budget

The Alameda County Board of Supervisors voted today to approve a $2.5 billion budget for the 2011-2012 fiscal year that closes a $138 million funding gap through a variety of measures.

Among those steps are eliminating 111 positions and making some cuts to programs in health care, public assistance and public protection.

However, county officials hope that there won't be any layoffs, as most of the jobs slated to be eliminated are unfilled and the county will try to shift employees who are in positions that will be eliminated to other jobs.

The budget for the new fiscal year beginning July 1 represents a 1 percent, or $25 million, increase over the current budget. The job cuts leave the county with a workforce of 9,049 fulltime employees.

County Administrator Susan Muranishi said although the budget is balanced, the county probably will have to revise it later this year to deal with likely funding cuts by the state and federal governments, which are both dealing with serious budget problems.

Muranishi said that although this is the third consecutive year the county has had to deal with a funding gap of more than $100 million, the county has still been able to maintain vital services for its residents.

"This is a prudent, responsible budget that doesn't rely on gimmicks and instead is based on savings that are in the bank," Muranishi said.

Supervisor Keith Carson, who chairs the county's budget work group, said the likely cutbacks in state and funding could impact county programs.

"We are continuing on a downward slide in terms of our ability to fund services that are vital to county residents," Carson said.

--Bay City News Service