The Turlock City Council just decided on April 13, 2010 to have an ad hoc budget committee comprised of Mayor John Lazar and Councilman Ted Howze work on budget proposals that the entire City Council could consider on May 11, 2010.
A debate between Council Members, along with citizens, took place on whether or not the budget discussions should be public and not behind closed doors.
No real decision was made although the idea the public may attend, but not participate, seemed to be acceptable to most of the Council.
A decision was made to begin looking at the budget in a two-year cycle instead of year-to-year.
While the City of Turlock is deciding how to deal with the General Fund Budget deficit of $3 million to nearly $4.2 million and possibly cutting 27 to 38 General Fund positions, the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors approved cutting 52 Sheriff employees and 25 library employees at Tuesday’s Board Meeting. The cuts also included eliminating vacant positions.
These cuts, and over 100 more expected job cuts by July, follow Stanislaus County employees agreeing to take a 5 percent pay cut over two years.
Stanislaus County Sheriff Adam Christianson advocated public safety as a number one priority, arguing that by the Sheriff Department taking the same 9 percent cut as other departments does not show priority.
Last year other departments were asked for 12 percent cuts while the Sheriff Department only took a 5 percent cut.
The Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the cuts at the April 27, 2010 Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors Meeting.
