Update
Jeff
would characterize as a "full sprint". Fun but fast.
A quick update for everyone on things that are going on.
County Budget -
As you may have read in the news this year is an especially tight
budget year for Trinity County.
This is probably going to be the case for a few years to come as we
continue to "live within our means." For rural counties in California
with a large amount of land (70%+) owned by the Federal Government we
are working with rising costs and flat revenues and our only recourse
is to find ways to increase revenues or be more efficient while trying
to maintain services. Find the money or cut back. Simple and
complex.
For the Board of Supervisors the priorities will continue to be the
much needed update of the general plan (which has the best potential
of increasing revenues in the long term) and public protection. Many
of the other county programs are funded by non General Fund dollars
that have many requirements and strings attached to them. With these
we try and maximize the benifit for services but don't have complete
control over the allocated dollars so there is reduced flexibility in
regards to how we can use those dollars.
Budget hearings for Trinity County will be held on Sept. 5-7 in the
Board of Supervisors Chambers at the Trinity County Library
Weaverville branch. Meetings will start at 9am each day.
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Some good news is that Trinity County's bond rating increased to
investment grade. Although it may seem trivial, this is really the
indicator that the work done by the Board Of Supervisors and county
staff over the last 2.5 years is really starting to pay off. A good
bond rating is like a good personal credit rating and it could mean
General Fund savings in the short and long term and again has great
potential to both enhance our revenues and decrease the amount of
interest that we pay on current or future financing.
Although county budgets are, and will continue to be challenging, I
believe that we are in a much more stable financial position not only
as a government entity but as a community with the goals that we have
acheived together over the last 2.5 years. I am proud of the sound
decisions made by the board and proud of this community for their
continued support and vision. You are not just accepting a future
that is forced upon you but are fighting to insure, through your own
actions, a future that you deserve. Your actions continue to inspire
me and are really the best part of this challenging position.
Please feel free to contact me at any time. I welcome your input and
feedback and honestly can't do this job effectively without it.
Best Regards,
Jeff Morris
je...@weavervilleinfo.com
(530) 623 - 8321