Madera County presents balanced 2026–27 budget; supervisors weigh wildfire resilience fund
June 08, 2026 | Madera County, California
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Matt Triber, Madera County administrative officer, opened the public hearing on the proposed 2026–27 budget and said county staff are presenting a balanced plan that projects a modest surplus and an opportunity to rebuild reserves.
Why it matters: County staff told supervisors that stabilizing fund balance and replenishing reserves would protect services and provide flexible local match to attract grants. At the same time the board raised the idea of a dedicated wildfire resilience fund to provide steady gap and matching support for local partners.
The budget presentation by the county’s finance team highlighted that the county is planning modest growth in positions and a pathway to strengthen reserves. Staff said funded positions total about 1,787.5 FTE, a net increase of 21 funded positions, and that a large share of county appropriations are third‑party funded: roughly 82% of budgeted dollars come from state and federal or other restricted sources while the general‑purpose “green slice” is about 18% of the total. Within that general‑purpose slice, staff said roughly 71% funds public‑protection programs.
Staff told the board the current‑year ending general‑fund balance is projected to be $5,454,641 based on April actuals and the adopted budget would push projected reserves higher (staff estimated reserves could reach about $7.6 million if the recommended budget and projected surplus are realized). Administration emphasized the changes are the result of department savings, targeted cuts and revenue strategies rather than across‑the‑board reductions.
Board discussion focused on how to use the projected surplus. One supervisor proposed establishing a wildfire resilience fund that would provide recurring, flexible local funding to fill project gaps and help match outside grants — a mechanism similar in concept to Measure T, the supervisor said. The chair also signaled a planned discussion about transient occupancy tax (TOT), saying an increase in the county’s TOT could generate “up to, you know, $2 million a year” to support such a fund if the board chose to pursue it.
Administration recommended designating the projected surplus to replenish an unassigned fund balance but noted the board could instead direct portions to eligible purposes, including wildfire mitigation projects. Staff also recommended continuing hiring controls and targeted use of third‑party revenue to limit future net county cost growth.
What happens next: The board opened the public hearing and staff asked that the hearing remain open through recess so any final changes could be filed before the record closes. Staff said they will return after book closure with verified year‑end numbers and any formal designation requests for board action.
Why it matters: County staff told supervisors that stabilizing fund balance and replenishing reserves would protect services and provide flexible local match to attract grants. At the same time the board raised the idea of a dedicated wildfire resilience fund to provide steady gap and matching support for local partners.
The budget presentation by the county’s finance team highlighted that the county is planning modest growth in positions and a pathway to strengthen reserves. Staff said funded positions total about 1,787.5 FTE, a net increase of 21 funded positions, and that a large share of county appropriations are third‑party funded: roughly 82% of budgeted dollars come from state and federal or other restricted sources while the general‑purpose “green slice” is about 18% of the total. Within that general‑purpose slice, staff said roughly 71% funds public‑protection programs.
Staff told the board the current‑year ending general‑fund balance is projected to be $5,454,641 based on April actuals and the adopted budget would push projected reserves higher (staff estimated reserves could reach about $7.6 million if the recommended budget and projected surplus are realized). Administration emphasized the changes are the result of department savings, targeted cuts and revenue strategies rather than across‑the‑board reductions.
Board discussion focused on how to use the projected surplus. One supervisor proposed establishing a wildfire resilience fund that would provide recurring, flexible local funding to fill project gaps and help match outside grants — a mechanism similar in concept to Measure T, the supervisor said. The chair also signaled a planned discussion about transient occupancy tax (TOT), saying an increase in the county’s TOT could generate “up to, you know, $2 million a year” to support such a fund if the board chose to pursue it.
Administration recommended designating the projected surplus to replenish an unassigned fund balance but noted the board could instead direct portions to eligible purposes, including wildfire mitigation projects. Staff also recommended continuing hiring controls and targeted use of third‑party revenue to limit future net county cost growth.
What happens next: The board opened the public hearing and staff asked that the hearing remain open through recess so any final changes could be filed before the record closes. Staff said they will return after book closure with verified year‑end numbers and any formal designation requests for board action.
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