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SLO County facing huge budget shortfall, enacts hiring freeze

May 20, 2020

San Luis Obispo County is projecting a $32 million to $56 million budget shortfall for the coming fiscal year primarily because of the pandemic.

During Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting, officials said drops in consumer spending have prompted decreases in state and federal funding. In addition, while revenue from some county departments has decreased, spending related to the coronavirus has increased.

“We have many tough choices ahead of us,” said Wade Horton, county administrative officer. “To put this shortfall into perspective, the largest single-year gap closed during the most recent recession was $30 million, which is the low end of what we expect.”

SLO County is looking at ways to shore up the 5 to 10 percent shortfall including a hiring freeze. In addition, county officials are scrutinizing all discretionary spending.

“The public is invited to provide input at the county budget hearing scheduled for June 8 through 10,” according to a county press release.


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County employees are the true “first responders.” Those working tirelessly at home should be given raises.


As a token of our appreciation and love, I say we force every rich person in SLO county to pay a one-time (for now) 1000 dollar donation to the county. This will put pension plans right and allow for raises and COLA’s for our heros.


In the meantime, let’s get some restaurants who are about to go out of business to donate a catered lunch for County Employees who are working so, so, so hard to show them our appreciation.


Thanks for closing down our local econonmy! Thanks for making it impossible to stay in business. Thanks for setting the stage for rent control, and de-population of SLO County! Thanks for all you do…..here’s a sandwich and some chips….and no, it’s not from the Food Bank. It’s fresh, high quality produce.


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For the several months: Approximately how much has been the cost of county employees with no significant work-from-home duties that are locked out? … and kept on the payroll?


5

How about a pay cut, one year long.


5 percent for rank-and-file, 10 percent for first line supervisors and mid-management. 15 percent for top managers.


In return give all non safety and non-essential staff 1-2 days off per month without pay.


The State did that in 2008-2010 with State employees while local cities (SLO) and some counties froze salary raises or offered very small cost of living increases. Time to share the pain.


Just an idea, maybe county leaders have already considered this?


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