The $13 million in mid-year reductions include layoffs for more than 100 employees – including dozens in Child Protective Services. That’s on top of hundreds more layoffs over the last year.
Supervisor Roger Dickinson said the cuts are painful but necessary.
Dickinson: “I know none of us have any joy or take any pleasure in casting this vote. It’s not what we came here to do. But we’ve got to balance a budget.”
Also on the chopping block: the Mather Community Campus, where around 300 homeless people get housing, job training and other services. The county hopes to find a non-profit to take over the program; otherwise, it will close.
Supervisors have now cut well over $200 million since the recession began – but they’re not done yet. The county must find another $150 million in reductions before the new budget kicks in on July 1st.