OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Sacramento County Board of Supervisors Budget Hearing - June 12, 2024

Board of Supervisors — Wednesday, June 12, 2024
BodySacramento County, California
SessionBoard of Supervisors
DateWednesday, June 12, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:02

All right, we'll call this meeting of the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors to order June 5th, 2024.

0:08

Welcome to Budget Day.

0:10

Would the clerk please call the role?

0:12

Yes, good morning.

0:13

Supervisor Cerna.

0:14

Here.

0:14

Desmond Frost.

0:16

Here.

0:16

Hume Kennedy.

0:18

Here.

0:18

And you have a quorum.

0:19

This meeting of the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors is Cable Cast Live on Metro Cable 14, the local government affairs channel on the Comcast and ATNT Uverse Cable Systems.

0:29

The meeting is closed captioned and live streamed at Metro 14 Live.SatCounty.gov.

0:34

Today's meeting will be repeated Saturday, June 8th at 6 p.m.

0:38

on Channel 14.

0:39

The Board of Supervisors fosters public engagement during the meeting and encourages public participation, civility, and use of courteous language.

0:46

The Board does not condone the use of profanity, vulgar language, gestures, or other inappropriate behavior, including personal attacks or threats directed towards any meeting participant.

0:56

Seating is limited and available on a first come first served basis.

0:59

Each speaker will be given two minutes to make a public comment and are limited to making one comment per agenda or off agenda item.

1:06

Please be mindful of the public comment procedures to avoid being interrupted while making your comment.

1:11

To make a comment in person, fill out a speaker request form and hand it to clerk staff.

1:15

The chairperson will open public comments for each agenda or off agenda item and direct the clerk to call the name of each speaker.

1:20

When the clerk calls your name, please come to the podium and make your comment.

1:24

If a speaker is unavailable to make a comment prior to the closing of public comments, the speaker waves their request to speak, and the clerk will file the speaker request form in the record.

1:34

The clerk will also manage the timer and allow each speaker two minutes to make a comment.

1:38

You may send written comments by email to Board Clerk at SATCounty.gov, and your comments will be routed and filed in the record.

1:45

If you need an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act or for medical or other reasons, please see clerk staff or assistance or contact the clerk's office at 916 8745451 or by email at Board Clerk at SACCounty.gov.

2:00

Thank you in advance for your courtesy and understanding of the meeting procedures.

2:13

And to the stands one nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

2:20

Amen.

2:23

Welcome everybody.

2:24

We I'm going to just go over briefly the way that today is going to look or supposed to look.

2:29

Um we're going to uh first have public comments for items not on the agenda.

2:35

Uh then we will move into our budget hearing.

2:38

Uh and uh then we will deliberate on the budget.

2:42

Uh and if we need to come back later with the recommended changes uh give staff time to look into that.

2:50

We will take a break and do that.

2:52

Uh and once the budget is put to bed, we will then hear the CIP and uh and we'll have public comment for both the CIP and the budget.

3:01

Uh that's the way it looks today.

3:03

So would you please first item, please?

3:05

Uh, your first item are public comments for matters not on the agenda, and we currently have three public speakers, and our first person is Lisa Sanchez.

3:20

Good morning.

3:21

Morning.

3:22

Morning.

3:22

Hello, my name is Lisa Sanchez, and I'm here today to speak on behalf of River City Waterway Alliance, an all-volunteer group dedicated to cleaning, restoring, and protecting Sacramento area waterways.

3:32

Since our launch in January of 2023, River City Waterway Alliance volunteers have conducted over 450 cleanups and removed nearly 1.6 million pounds of trash and debris.

3:44

However, those immense efforts are not enough.

3:46

Therefore, last year we asked for and was granted additional funding to assist with clean cleaning creeks and waterways that fall outside the American River Parkway.

3:55

This additional funding allowed Sacramento County Regional Parks to engage a skilled contractor to provide assistance to RCWA.

4:03

The progress we have made since working with this contractor has been fantastic.

4:07

Not only do they add additional labor, but they've also bring equipment that us volunteers rarely enjoy, such as a skid steer, mini excavator, boat, and a UTV.

4:18

As a result of the progress that has been made has been remarkable and beyond our wildest dreams.

4:24

In just five weeks, the contractor working in conjunction with RCWA has already removed an astounding 50,000 pounds of trash and debris from a one-third mile stretch of Steelhead Creek between West El Camino and the Art and Garden Connector.

4:39

Right now, as I speak, a group of RCWA volunteers is in Steelhead Creek, working with that contractor to collectively remove more trash and debris.

4:49

I wanted to be here today on behalf of all River City Waterway Alliance volunteers to thank you for providing this additional funding and to let you know how beneficial it has been.

5:00

Due to the very tangible benefits, we are respectfully requesting that the Board of Supervisors include similar additional funding for this upcoming fiscal year, so we can continue this unprecedented progress.

5:11

We see firsthand how neglected many of our waterways have become and are working to reverse the damage.

5:16

It'll take many years of dedication and hard work to restore our waterways back to healthy levels, but we know we will get there with your support and assistance.

5:24

Thank you so much.

5:27

Thank you, Lisa.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Budget and Finance██████████████████████████████████████████42%
Public Safety████████████████████20%
Public Health█████████9%
Law Enforcement Oversight████████8%
Procedural█████5%
Engineering And Infrastructure████4%
Social Welfare Policy███3%
Environmental Mitigation██2%
Personnel Matters██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Sacramento County Board of Supervisors Budget Hearing - June 12, 2024 (Note: Transcript indicates meeting date as June 5, 2024)

This meeting of the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors focused on adopting the Fiscal Year 2024-25 recommended budget and capital improvement plan. The $8.8 billion budget reflects a $570 million (6.9%) increase from the prior year, with ongoing structural imbalance due to reliance on one-time fund balance. The board heard presentations from the County Executive, Chief Fiscal Officer, Sheriff, District Attorney, and Public Defender, followed by public testimony, deliberation, and unanimous approval of the budget with amendments.

Consent Calendar

  • In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Public Authority Budget (Item 2): Approved unanimously. The $4,552,304 budget includes an increase of $837,551 for training, PPE, operating expenses, and registry support. Funding addresses growing demand for caregiver orientation and education services.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Lisa Sanchez (River City Waterway Alliance): Expressed gratitude for prior funding that enabled removal of 50,000 pounds of trash in five weeks from Steelhead Creek. Requested continued additional funding for waterways outside the American River Parkway.
  • Michael Alt (Downtown Partnership): Cited a recent homicide outside the jail and urged the county to match the city's commitment of $250,000 for downtown safety, security, and cleanliness. He emphasized the crisis affecting employees and the regional economy.
  • Keon Bliss (Public Comment): Criticized the budget process as insufficiently participatory, noting the 1,100-page budget released less than two weeks prior and consolidation of hearings into three days. He called for performance metrics and more time for public review.
  • David Baker (Sacramento Children’s Home): Supported the $1.3 million growth request for court-mandated parenting workshops and family resource centers, noting First 5 funding had declined and county support is critical for child abuse prevention.
  • Martin Bryant (ETTI Union President): Urged the county to use limited-term employment instead of third-party contractors, citing cost savings and better integration.
  • Keon Bliss (Second Comment): Advocated against funding jail expansion and law enforcement increases, urging reallocation of AB 109 funds to community-based programs. Noted 89% of AB 109 funds go to law enforcement vs. as low as 41% in other counties.
  • Marshall Arnwine: Proposed funding for a community-based program (NorCal Resist) to fix vehicle lights and reduce non-safety traffic stops, citing racial disparities in stops.
  • Sergei Garyov (Slavic American Chamber): Requested extension of a $929,000 contract supporting Ukrainian refugees, noting 200 active cases and continued arrivals. Current contract ends June 30, 2024.
  • Carlos Montes Ponce (ACLU): Opposed funding for a mobile command vehicle for the Sheriff, instead asking for reallocation to community partners.
  • Aaron Saberry (Commission on Status of Women and Girls): Submitted a letter urging preservation of staffing for child and adult protective services and IHSS training.

Discussion Items

  • County Executive & CFO Presentation: David Villeneuve and Amanda Thomas presented the $8.8 billion recommended budget, noting a $76 million estimated fund balance (down from $140 million in 23-24) and continued structural deficit. Net County Cost growth is $9 million funded with discretionary resources, with $50 million total general fund growth. Reductions include deletion of 81 vacant positions (no filled positions). County priorities: homelessness, roads, and addressing fentanyl. Multi-year projections show need for structural balance.
  • Sheriff's Office Presentation: Under Sheriff highlighted staffing levels 8% below 2008 despite population growth; 109 deputy vacancies. New courthouse will require 30 deputies. Infrastructure challenges: academy at risk of losing lease, evidence warehouse needs clearance, North Station overcrowded. AB 109 funding cut by $13 million. Consent decree compliance ongoing. Proposed reopening RBF facility for mental health/addiction treatment with privatized medical care.
  • District Attorney's Presentation: DA Ho detailed the fentanyl crisis: 401 fentanyl deaths in 2023, more than gun homicides. Launched Fentanyl Overdose Resolution Criminal Investigation Enforcement (FORCE) team. Requested one additional attorney for narcotics. Also requested approval for office consolidation to new building, cost-neutral with savings. Supported by Public Defender Benson, who noted her office could use the vacated space.
  • Public Defender's Presentation: Amanda Benson requested parity: if the DA receives additional attorney positions, the Public Defender must also receive funding to maintain constitutionally mandated caseloads. Cited mental health diversion laws increasing caseloads to average 30 cases per attorney (up from 15 in 2015).
  • Board Deliberation: Supervisors expressed support for:
    • Black Child Legacy Campaign (BCLC): Three-year funding commitment formalized in resolution.
    • Downtown Safety: Matching the city's $250,000 for security, funded through ARPA clawback/TOT revenue, to be brought back in July.
    • Refugee Services: $400,000 set aside for continued contracts with Slavic American Chamber and RETA (Afghan refugee services), to be implemented before June 30 if possible.
    • District Attorney & Public Defender Positions: Two Principal Criminal Attorney positions (one each) added, funded by reducing contingency by $549,710.
    • Other directions: Analysis of sales tax by sector (agriculture); veterans resource center at surplus state property; oversight of correctional health and welcome homes; animal care surgery center study; NorCal Resist pilot program; Asian Chamber program continuation.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved Budget: Motion to adopt FY 2024-25 recommended budget with amendments carried unanimously. Amendments include: (1) Resolution language committing to three-year funding for BCLC, directing staff to include appropriate funding in future budgets. (2) Addition of one Principal Criminal Attorney for DA and one for PD, total ongoing cost $549,710, offset by reduction in general fund contingency from $15.1M to $14.6M.
  • Capital Improvement Plan: Unanimously approved the five-year CIP totaling $3.5 billion, with $916 million for FY 24-25, including projects previously reviewed and consistent with the General Plan.
  • IHSS Public Authority Budget: Approved as presented, $4,552,304.
  • Directions to Staff: CEO to report back on downtown safety funding in July or via CEO comments; staff to work on refugee contract extensions, sales tax analysis, veterans center, and other follow-ups noted during deliberation.

Meeting Transcript

All right, we'll call this meeting of the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors to order June 5th, 2024. Welcome to Budget Day. Would the clerk please call the role? Yes, good morning. Supervisor Cerna. Here. Desmond Frost. Here. Hume Kennedy. Here. And you have a quorum. This meeting of the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors is Cable Cast Live on Metro Cable 14, the local government affairs channel on the Comcast and ATNT Uverse Cable Systems. The meeting is closed captioned and live streamed at Metro 14 Live.SatCounty.gov. Today's meeting will be repeated Saturday, June 8th at 6 p.m. on Channel 14. The Board of Supervisors fosters public engagement during the meeting and encourages public participation, civility, and use of courteous language. The Board does not condone the use of profanity, vulgar language, gestures, or other inappropriate behavior, including personal attacks or threats directed towards any meeting participant. Seating is limited and available on a first come first served basis. Each speaker will be given two minutes to make a public comment and are limited to making one comment per agenda or off agenda item. Please be mindful of the public comment procedures to avoid being interrupted while making your comment. To make a comment in person, fill out a speaker request form and hand it to clerk staff. The chairperson will open public comments for each agenda or off agenda item and direct the clerk to call the name of each speaker. When the clerk calls your name, please come to the podium and make your comment. If a speaker is unavailable to make a comment prior to the closing of public comments, the speaker waves their request to speak, and the clerk will file the speaker request form in the record. The clerk will also manage the timer and allow each speaker two minutes to make a comment. You may send written comments by email to Board Clerk at SATCounty.gov, and your comments will be routed and filed in the record. If you need an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act or for medical or other reasons, please see clerk staff or assistance or contact the clerk's office at 916 8745451 or by email at Board Clerk at SACCounty.gov. Thank you in advance for your courtesy and understanding of the meeting procedures. And to the stands one nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Amen. Welcome everybody. We I'm going to just go over briefly the way that today is going to look or supposed to look. Um we're going to uh first have public comments for items not on the agenda. Uh then we will move into our budget hearing. Uh and uh then we will deliberate on the budget. Uh and if we need to come back later with the recommended changes uh give staff time to look into that. We will take a break and do that. Uh and once the budget is put to bed, we will then hear the CIP and uh and we'll have public comment for both the CIP and the budget. Uh that's the way it looks today. So would you please first item, please? Uh, your first item are public comments for matters not on the agenda, and we currently have three public speakers, and our first person is Lisa Sanchez. Good morning. Morning. Morning. Hello, my name is Lisa Sanchez, and I'm here today to speak on behalf of River City Waterway Alliance, an all-volunteer group dedicated to cleaning, restoring, and protecting Sacramento area waterways. Since our launch in January of 2023, River City Waterway Alliance volunteers have conducted over 450 cleanups and removed nearly 1.6 million pounds of trash and debris. However, those immense efforts are not enough. Therefore, last year we asked for and was granted additional funding to assist with clean cleaning creeks and waterways that fall outside the American River Parkway. This additional funding allowed Sacramento County Regional Parks to engage a skilled contractor to provide assistance to RCWA. The progress we have made since working with this contractor has been fantastic.

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