Stanislaus County approves $1.87B budget, while watching federal, state plans
Stanislaus County supervisors approved a 2025-26 fiscal year budget Tuesday in the midst of uncertainty about state and federal funding for programs and services.
“It is unclear how pending changes may affect local plans and initiatives,” county Chief Executive Officer Jody Hayes said in a budget message.
Noting some counties in California have taken steps such as freezing positions, Hayes cautioned against getting swept up in speculation about budget impacts that may or may not happen.
County officials said they will monitor the federal and state budget processes and keep an eye on discretionary revenue. They expected to know more before adoption of the final county budget in September.
The total budget is $1.87 billion, including $528.8 million in general fund appropriations and an increase in four allocated employee positions, bringing the total to 4,915 positions.
The county projects $491.3 million in general fund revenue and plans to use $37.6 million in fund balance to avoid cuts to services. A general fund balance of $143.4 million is projected for the end of the fiscal year in June 2026, down from $181 million this year.
The general fund pays for law enforcement and other daily operations of the county.
Supervisors approved the budget on a 4-1 vote, with Channce Condit voting no. Condit said he wanted a report on the balance between managers and front-line employees in county departments.
The budget calls for a cautious approach to maintaining existing programs and staffing levels. The only staff additions are a crime analyst for the Probation Department and three human relations employees in the CEO’s office. There is money in the budget for replacing dozens of older county-owned vehicles.
The District Attorney’s Office budget of $35.4 million is $1.5 million higher than the current year, mostly due to updated salaries and benefits for staff. The budget recommends replacing three older DA vehicles, which will cost a total of $135,560 when law enforcement gear is included.
The Probation Department costs are expected to be $12.2 million higher in the coming year, while the Public Defender’s Office is looking at a $2.1 million increase and Information Technology a $4.1 million increase.
The Sheriff Office’s proposed budget of $228.5 million is a slight increase. The sheriff’s budget recommends replacing 51 vehicles, with $4.97 million in appropriations coming from administration, detention and the sheriff operations budgets.
The county’s spending plan includes 33 additional replacement vehicles for eight other county departments.
During the public hearing, several speakers asked the board to include money in the budget for a civilian review board for the Sheriff’s Office.
Bianca Lopez, co-founder of Valley Improvement Projects, also wants to see an accounting of funds the county received from closure of the former Covanta garbage-burning plant.
Supervisor Vito Chiesa said the county has held onto reserves, mainly due to a high workforce vacancy rate, in preparation for a difficult period as sales-tax revenue declines. But the supervisor indicated he’s not that worried about the upcoming year.
“I feel secure with where we are,” Chiesa said.
This story was originally published June 10, 2025 at 2:13 PM.
