The County of San Luis Obispo addressed an expected $26.2 million COVID-19 related gap in next year's fiscal budget.
The reductions would include a $6.5 million cut of departmental budgets, the use of one-time reserves in the amount of $12.8 million and a $6.9 million cut in voluntary savings from employees.
In a budget hearing, the County Board of Supervisors considered options for balancing the budget.
County staff recommended a 4% reduction to the level of General Fund support provided to non-public safety departments, a 1% reduction for public safety departments and an additional $2.4 million cut from public safety.
The Board tentatively adopted most of the recommendations but used one-time dollars to replenish the revenue loss and reduce cuts to public safety departments.
County officials estimate a total budget gap of $32 million - $56 million for Fiscal Year 2020-21 due to a drop in consumer spending and an increase in overall expenses as a result of higher demand for public services.
