El Dorado County releases $1.25B recommended budget; board approves most items, asks staff to review vehicle take‑homes

El Dorado County’s CEO office presented the recommended FY 2026–27 budget on Tuesday, outlining $1.25 billion in total appropriations across all funds and a governmental‑funds total just over $1 billion.

Emma Owens, the county’s chief budget officer, told the board that net county cost — the discretionary portion counties most often debate — was projected to rise by about $7.64 million compared with the prior year, reflecting board‑approved compensation increases, rising health insurance premiums and HR1 impacts to eligibility cost calculations.

Key figures and themes
• Total appropriations: $1.25 billion (all funds) with governmental funds ~ $1.0 billion.
• General fund: roughly $486 million; net county cost (discretionary portion) is reported at roughly $216 million.
• Net county cost change: +$7.64 million (primarily compensation and insurance).
• Fund balance: staff reported an estimated $21.8 million available carryover, more conservative during the recommended stage and likely to be finalized at the adopted budget stage in September.

Budget actions and board direction
• After presentation and public comment from service providers and residents — including several appeals to preserve Clubhouse El Dorado, a mental‑health clubhouse serving hundreds of members — the board approved most of the requested budget actions on the hearing agenda (items one through five, seven and eight) by roll call (motion passed 4–0; one supervisor absent).
• The board asked staff to take another look at item 6 (a package of vehicle authorizations and overnight take‑home vehicle rules). Supervisors expressed concern about the number of vehicles assigned for take‑home status and asked departments to review which assignments are essential and which could be reduced; staff will report back with recommendations before the adopted budget.

Program highlights cited by staff
• $65 million capital plan including completion of the jail project and a $24.5 million behavioral health facility project (the PHF/“sore” project at the government center).
• $7.87 million in a new general‑fund designation targeting projects benefiting the Mosquito Fire footprint area.
• $125 million of intergovernmental revenue supporting Health & Human Services programs; the recommended budget reflects statutory changes (MHSA→BHSA) and opioid settlement funding targeted to specific public‑safety/legal staff increases.

Public comments and contested items
• NAMI and Clubhouse El Dorado urged continued and stable funding for a clubhouse model that advocates said reduces crisis contacts and downstream public costs. Staff and the Behavioral Health Division said changes in state funding categories (Prop. 1 / SB 326) complicate continued funding in the same way; the board asked staff to pursue all available funding avenues but did not restore full annual funding on Tuesday.
• Several residents and advocates asked about contingency levels and the county’s conservative fund estimates; staff pointed out the recommended budget is intentionally conservative and fund balance will be finalized before adoption.

Next steps
• The board approved the hearing actions noted above and asked staff to return with additional detail on vehicle take‑home assignments (item 6) and any follow‑ups on behavioral health funding options. The adopted budget hearing and final adoption are scheduled for September with a statutory deadline in early October.

Speakers quoted (first reference):
• Emma Owens, chief budget officer: “Total appropriations are $1.25 billion… governmental funds is a little over $1 billion.”
• Diane Rabininoitz, president, NAMI El Dorado County: “Clubhouse El Dorado is delivering measurable results… and providing a strong return on investment.”

Authorities and policies referenced: county budget process and the California County Budget Act; mention of state policy changes affecting behavioral health funding (Proposition 1 / SB 326 / BH Connect discourse).