RivCo Supes Tentatively Adopt $7.47 Billion Budget

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — The Riverside County Board of Supervisors Tuesday tentatively adopted a $7.47 billion 2022-23 budget for the Riverside County government, increasing appropriations to ensure agencies start off the fiscal year with sufficient revenue to meet ongoing needs.

In a 5-0 vote without comment, the board signed off on the spending blueprint that was ironed out following hearings last week when department heads came forward with a series of requests for additional funds.

The increased allocations totaled $27.7 million and will be covered by discretionary income and Proposition 172 public safety sales tax revenue.

The board will re-visit the appropriations plan in September when formal adoption of the budget is expected. An operational budget had to be in place prior to the start of the new fiscal year, which is July 1.

CEO Jeff Van Wagenen last week struck a cautionary note, saying "we have to protect and preserve our reserves" amid concerns about a turn in the nation's economy with unknowns on the horizon, including the threat from galloping inflation and a recession.

The total budget for county government in 2022-23 is roughly 8% larger than the current fiscal year budget, which totaled $6.88 billion. The new budget boasts just over $1 billion in anticipated discretionary revenue, compared to $971 million that swelled county coffers in 2021-22.

The county reserve pool is predicted to reach $368 million by the start of 2022-23, compared to $284 million now.

Executive Office staff indicated property tax receipts, sales and use tax receipts, as well as redevelopment asset liquidation revenues all increased in the current fiscal year.

The county received almost $500 million in 2020 Coronavirus Aid, Relief & Economic Security Act allocations and another $480 million in 2021 American Rescue Plan Act money, and Van Wagenen acknowledged that just under 10% of the federal infusions will be applied for budget stabilization. The funds have been used for homeless and rental assistance programs, along with other social welfare efforts, but they've also been appropriated for capital improvement projects.

District Attorney Mike Hestrin asked for an additional $3.6 million to keep the DA's Office from running into the red and to maintain baseline operations in the next fiscal year.

"As more people pour into Riverside County, we have problems on the horizon," he told the board.
Hestrin submitted a proposed budget seeking $174 million in 2022-23, compared to $158.53 million approved in the current fiscal year. The board agreed to the $3.6 million request.

Hestrin noted that his office is under pressure from state mandates favoring re-adjudications and re-sentencings, forcing prosecutors to delve into cases that have already been disposed.

Of all the county public safety agencies, the Sheriff's Department requires the greatest General Fund support, receiving $885.48 million in 2021- 22. Sheriff Chad Bianco submitted a budget request seeking $950 million in appropriations. The Executive Office recommended $901 million. However, the revised allocation formula drawn up by Van Wagenen and his staff included $10 million more in funding for the sheriff.

Bianco said shortfalls can be managed, but doing so will require the department to continue to "operate like we're one of the smallest" sheriff's agencies in the state, instead of the second-largest.

According to the sheriff, he needs more funding to establish the planned Lake Mathews station, which will serve multiple communities directly, including El Cerrito, Gavilan Hills, Temescal Valley and Woodcrest, where patrol personnel from three surrounding stations are dispatched, impacting response times.

The phased opening of the Benoit Detention Center in Indio remains a distant goal, with less than one-third of the jail's inmate beds available due to a lack of staff.

Fire Chief Bill Weiser requested an additional $2.57 million in Prop 172 public safety sales tax revenue, which was approved by the board.

The Executive Office recommended a total of $419 million in appropriations for the county's fire operations, which are managed by Cal Fire. The fire department relies on a contract fee paid by the county, as well as revenue streams from the 20 municipalities within the county that contract for county emergency services, to cover costs.

Weiser said the additional money will help meet expenses tied to converting three wildland fire stations -- Cabazon, Cherry Valley and Poppet Flats -- to municipal stations.

Van Wagenen said the increased appropriations going into the county spending plan also include $5 million more for the recently established Unincorporated Communities Fund, $3 million more for the Department of Public Social Services, which receives the bulk of its funding via "pass-through" money from the state and federal governments, and $300,000 for the Department of Animal Services, which has struggled with deficits over the last decade.