Supervisors To Decide On Layoffs, Budget Cuts

A continuing tough budget picture means job cuts are on the way for Riverside County.

That’s going to be one of the subjects at todays supervisors meeting.

If cuts aren’t made Riverside County could face a $130 million budget deficit for the next fiscal year.

Depending on what the board of supervisors decide, a fire station in Thousand Palms could be closed in order to reduce costs.

Supervisor John Benoit has already said with tax revenues down people will lose their jobs, and that the county could reduce its staff by as many as 400 workers.

In trying to figure out the best course of action the board of supervisors has requested that county agencies present proposals on how downsizing would affect their day to day operations.

Supervisors are looking at a 3 to 10 percent cut in the public safety sector with other departments possibly seeing a 10 to 25 percent reduction in staff.

On the public safety side the board of supervisors today will also look at a feasibility study to determine whether the county can afford its own fire authority and end its contract with Cal Fire.

Obviously its all about the bottom line: which way would be more cost effective.

The county’s budget report notes the state owes it $40 million in funds to cover state-mandated programs.

But the likelihood of seeing that money is slim since California finds itself looking at a multi-billion dollar budget deficit.

Later today, we’ll have a report from the supervisors meeting.