Amy Shuklian

State legislative developments affecting the county

The Safer water funding negotiation left the county short of full funding, though a good chunk was recovered for this year; the new AB 2739 fund depends on future state appropriations.

IHSS Caregiver Wages

A caregiver raise would increase county IHSS program costs, amount unspecified.

SJV Biodiesel assessment appeal settlement

Dollar Tree's property tax assessments on twelve parcels remain unchanged.

FEMA reimbursement for 2023 floods and 2020 fire secured

About $2 million in grant money is set aside for storm pump fixes, with roughly $35 million in disaster resilience funding flowing countywide.

FEMA Disaster Recovery Response

Forcum-Mackey construction contract increases

Combined increases of about $576,390 to county-funded construction contracts.

Remote meeting attendance to fix quorum problems

Modest — mostly the cost of setting up Zoom/Teams access for meetings.

Employee health plan premium increases

Premium increases up to 15.3% on some plans raise county and employee benefit costs.

FY 2026/27 County Budget Adoption

Total budget up about $166 million over last year; net county cost up $14.5 million; long-term debt down 7.7% to $176 million.

2027 Assessment Appeals Calendar

No direct cost; it sets the dates for appeals that can affect individual property tax bills.

RMA permitting technology and customer-service upgrades

No price tag was given; some tools were obtained at little or no cost during development.

Statutory filing deadlines leave no room for hardship appeals

The applicant says she owes about $70,000 in supplemental taxes accruing roughly $1,000 a month in interest.

Updated Internal Audit Charter under new global standards

No direct cost discussed; it's a governance housekeeping update.

Shrinking funding and rising recidivism

Expiring federal and state programs mean fewer dollars to keep already-housed people housed — the safety net is getting thinner.

State budget cuts to health and human services

Possible one-year reprieve on state cuts to food assistance and Medi-Cal that would hit low-income county residents.

Flood Control District budget squeeze from liability insurance

About $790,000 a year going to liability insurance, leaving the district living off reserves until at least 2031.

Fiscal Year 2027 audit plan selections

The audits use staff time already budgeted — no new spending, but findings could recover or prevent lost county dollars.

2026-27 assessment roll grows 4% to $55 billion

About $550 million in countywide property tax revenue flows from the roll; residential owners saw the biggest value jumps this year.

Measure R renewal on the horizon

Billions in local road funding over the measure's life are at stake.