Placer County presents balanced $1.525 billion budget; public urges dedicated housing fund

Placer County Budget and Fiscal Officer Daniel Vik told the Board of Supervisors on June 9 that the county’s recommended fiscal year 2026–27 budget is balanced and maintains service levels while funding capital priorities. “I am happy to report that the fiscal year 2627 budget is balanced with service levels maintained throughout the county,” Vik said during a detailed presentation on revenues, expenditures and priorities.

The recommended budget proposes $1.525 billion in governmental operating funds, roughly $530 million in General Fund expenditures, $146.5 million for road projects and $43.8 million reserved for future capital facility projects. It would add 40 funded positions countywide, with 15 positions supporting public-safety departments, and includes $16.8 million for equipment replacements and $8.4 million for major facility maintenance.

Public commenters used the budget hearing to press for new local commitments to affordable housing. Dozens of speakers including housing advocates, nonprofit leaders and residents urged the board to establish a dedicated housing fund and to set aside $10–$15 million annually from the General Fund to help meet the county’s 1,300-unit housing target. “We need housing for employees in health care, retail, restaurant services, education and child care,” said Elisa Herrera, founding executive director of the Latino Leadership Council. Several asked the board to consider bonding or multi-year commitments to close the estimated funding gaps for subsidized units.

Board members acknowledged the public’s calls and discussed near-term options. Supervisor Gore proposed directing staff to return with options to move $1.5 million into an affordable housing fund as an initial step; several supervisors supported returning in July or at first-quarter amendments with proposed sources and implementation language. The board also noted ongoing programs already using transient occupancy tax (TOT) dollars and asked staff to inventory existing housing-related commitments before final adoption.

Vik said the budget assumes $120.7 million in fund balance and the county’s General Fund reserves would meet the board’s target. He highlighted a $27 million internal transfer tied to moving correctional services operations into the Public Safety Fund, and a $146.5 million Road Fund program that includes Placer Parkway and Yankee Jim’s bridge replacement projects.

What happens next: the board passed a motion of intent to adopt the recommended budget and will consider final adoption at a public meeting scheduled for June 30. Supervisors asked staff to return with options for creating a housing funding vehicle and to provide more detail on one-time and ongoing funding sources that could be used to seed a local housing fund.