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Don Gage
S.C. County beginning cutbacks, dipping into its savings
Gage breaks with tradition, doesn't introduce programs
By Kate Carter
The state of Santa Clara County is stable but not superior and county officials and employees will be looking for ways to reduce spending while not sacrificing existing programs.
County board of supervisors Chairman Don Gage reported in his State of the County address Jan. 31 that the county is facing an $85 million shortfall this year. Instead of implementing new programs, it will be doing all it can to maintain those it already has, he said.
"It is common for the new chair of the board to use the state of the county to have a series of proposed new programs," he said. "But tonight I'm going to break that tradition. Quite frankly, we will be struggling to fund the services that we are currently providing. I can't, in good conscience, roll out a series of new initiatives with little chance of funding them."
Gage said the county has increased the amount of its reserves to $96 million and has initiated a hiring freeze and a targeted staff reduction. Instead of announcing new programs, he asked county officials to look for ways to cut costs, find new funding sources, partner with outside groups and increase efficiency. He also re-introduced a program to solicit input from county employees on streamlining.
Gage reiterated the importance of the county's programs that serve many of those in need throughout the county. He pointed to its Housing Trust program, to create affordable rental and transitional housing for homeless people, its Fiduciary Abuse Specialist Teams (FAST), which prevent financial abuse of seniors, and the Children's Health Initiative, to provide all the county's children with medical insurance, as examples of what the county is doing well.
"For many in our valley, Santa Clara County provides a critical safety net," Gage said. "Being here and working hard--we're doing this for you."
The Housing Trust has raised $20 million, $2.5 million of which comes from the county, and has already made nine loans to local developers, totaling $2.9 million, to create 730 housing units.
The FAST program, a partnership between the county's department of aging and adult services, the district attorney's office and the county counsel, has prevented the loss of about $72 million and received the "America's Crown Communities" award.
The Children's Health Initiative and its programs have provided medical insurance to 25,000 of the county's youth who would otherwise not be able to afford it.
Gage thanked his colleagues on the board of supervisors for their efforts to provide services to veterans and at-risk children and in public health. He also thanked San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales and the city council for coming to an agreement with the county about the use of redevelopment agency funds, ending more than a decade of dispute between the two governmental bodies.
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Willow Glen, California Since 1992
