Board adopts temporary general‑fund hiring freeze as supervisors debate solutions for $9.6M variance

The Del Norte County Board of Supervisors on July 28 adopted a temporary hiring freeze for positions fully or partially funded by the county general fund, authorizing the county administrative officer, budget officer, auditor‑controller and human resources director to consider exceptions on a case‑by‑case basis.

The hiring‑freeze item was presented as a short‑term tool to stabilize the county’s operating budget while department heads work with the board during upcoming budget hearings. County staff said the freeze is intended to preserve general‑fund balances until the board adopts a final budget in September and that exceptions could be made in operationally critical circumstances.

Supervisor Sue Starkey said the freeze alone will not close the county’s reported roughly $9.6 million variance and urged additional solutions: "If between now and the time that we have to approve the full budget ... we're only saving $500,000, which is great... I'm just saying this isn't the solution," she said. County fiscal staff clarified that some salary‑savings figures referenced different fiscal years and that the hiring freeze produces savings in the new fiscal year rather than the prior year’s fund balance.

Other supervisors said the hiring freeze provides necessary short‑term stability and prevents hiring that could later be reversed if cuts are required; the board approved the measure unanimously. The board asked staff to bring additional budget proposals and to prepare department‑level briefings ahead of the August/September budget hearings.