Yuba County supervisors have adopted the county’s fiscal year 2026-27 budget, approving a spending plan that totals $411,031,247 in operating funds. The decision came during a Tuesday, Sept. 8, meeting, where the board cast a 3-2 vote to approve the resolution, according to the meeting summary.
Supervisors Renick House, Gary Bradford, and Jon Messick voted in favor of the budget. Conversely, Supervisors Andy Vasquez and Chair Seth Fuhrer cast dissenting votes, according to the same meeting summary. The adopted budget primarily allocates $411,031,247 to cover the county's general operating expenditures for the specified fiscal year.
Beyond the primary operating funds, the adopted budget details several other significant financial allocations, as outlined in the meeting minutes. These include $1,035,910 designated for airport enterprise funds, supporting the operations and maintenance of county airport facilities. A sum of $2 million has been earmarked for the law enforcement stabilization fund, intended to provide financial security for public safety operations. Furthermore, the county has set aside $4.4 million to address economic uncertainty, a measure aimed at preparing for unforeseen financial challenges.
Financial planning for employee benefits and future capital needs also featured prominently in the budget. The minutes state that $500,000 has been allocated to the PARS 115 trust, a fund typically used for public agency retirement services. An additional $1 million has been designated for general reserves, while $2.9 million is set aside for contingency, allowing for flexibility in managing unexpected expenses throughout the fiscal year. A substantial $4,039,904 is directed toward the capital projects fund, which supports new construction or major improvements to county infrastructure. Moreover, $250,000 is allocated to the PC replace fund, aimed at updating and replacing computer equipment across county departments. Finally, the budget includes $49,204,215 for total internal services funds, covering essential support services for the county's various departments.
County Administrator Kevin Mallen presented the comprehensive budget to the supervisors prior to their vote. His presentation encompassed an overview of the financial plan, highlighted key budget changes, reviewed the status of reserves and contingencies, and recommended the specific actions for approval, according to the meeting summary. The board held a public hearing on the budget before moving to the vote, allowing for community input on the proposed spending plan. While the vote was split, the meeting summary does not provide specific reasons that prompted Supervisors Vasquez and Fuhrer to vote against the budget's adoption.
In addition to the budget approval, the supervisors addressed several other county matters during the same meeting. The board approved a request for proposals related to the restoration of the county jail ceiling, indicating a planned improvement project for the facility. An agreement with the Yuba Sutter Legal Center for a small claims advisor was also approved, aimed at providing legal assistance to residents navigating small claims disputes. The meeting also included a public hearing focused on delinquent water and sewer charges for the River Highlands Community Services District, addressing outstanding utility payments in that area.
