Santa Clara County supervisors sliced another $46 million in
spending out of its 2003-04 budget Tuesday, meaning the grand total
for cuts over the last 16 months equals $281 million.
Santa Clara County supervisors sliced another $46 million in spending out of its 2003-04 budget Tuesday, meaning the grand total for cuts over the last 16 months equals $281 million.
The cuts were done to balance the gaps left by a $31.3 million revenue shortfall from the state and a $15 million shortfall in local revenue. The cuts will likely add to waits at county clinics and offices and will eliminate 79 county positions, 21 of which currently are filled.
“The cuts mean you get less of about everything we have to offer. It will take longer to get things done at the county,” District 1 Supervisor Don Gage said. “We’re not only cutting programs, we’re reducing manpower, too.”
Gage said the cuts, albeit painful, did not generate contention.
“All of the cuts have been talked about in committees and looked at three or four times,” Gage said.
According to Gage, no cuts were made to public safety.
Santa Clara County budget gloom is not over. County officials are expecting $90 million to $100 million in reductions for next fiscal year.
A delay in funding from the state for vehicle license fees is causing $24 million of the current shortfall, wiping out the $21 million in reserves supervisors set aside to cover the deficit.
“We’ve used up most of our reserves, so there will be more direct cuts in service next year,” Gage said.
Gage said the next round of cuts could mean as many as 1,000 layoffs at the county.
