Title
Adopt a resolution authorizing and directing the Auditor-Controller to:
a. Amend the General Assistance (GA) Program Budget by increasing appropriations by $337,000 for Fund 001, Appropriations Unit SOC002 of the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Adopted Budget to provide entitlement benefits for an increased caseload in General Assistance (4/5ths vote required); and
b. Amend the Community Programs Budget by increasing revenue by $202,276 for Fund 001, Appropriations Unit SOC004 Fiscal Year 2025-26 Adopted Budget, resulting in a decrease in General Fund Contributions of $202,276 (4/5ths vote required); and
c. Amend Military & Veterans Affairs Budget by decreasing appropriations by $134,724 in Fund 001, Appropriations Unit SOC003 Fiscal Year 2025-26 Adopted Budget, resulting in a decrease in General Fund Contributions of $134,724 (4/5ths vote required).
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors adopt a resolution authorizing and directing the Auditor-Controller to:
a. Amend the General Assistance (GA) Program Budget by increasing appropriations by $337,000 for Fund 001, Appropriations Unit SOC002 of the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Adopted Budget to provide entitlement benefits for an increased caseload in General Assistance (4/5ths Vote); and
b. Amend the Community Programs Budget by increasing revenue by $202,276 for Fund 001, Appropriations Unit SOC004 Fiscal Year 2025-26 Adopted Budget, resulting in a decrease in General Fund Contributions of $202,276 (4/5ths Vote); and
c. Amend Military & Veterans Affairs Budget by decreasing appropriations by $134,724 in Fund 001, Appropriations Unit SOC003 Fiscal Year 2025-26 Adopted Budget, resulting in a decrease in General Fund Contributions of $134,724 (4/5ths Vote).
SUMMARY:
The General Assistance (GA) Program is a county-funded program that provides cash and in-kind assistance to indigent adults who are not eligible for other public assistance programs. The caseload has increased 30% compared to Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-24 and the Program requires an increase in appropriations. The increase in General Fund Contributions (GFC) for the General Assistance Program will be financed by a decrease in GFC for the Community Programs and Military & Veterans Affairs budget.
The recommended actions will not increase the overall Department’s General Fund Contribution, as it merely transfers GFC funds between appropriation units for FY 2025-26.
DISCUSSION:
The General Assistance (GA) Program is a county-funded program that provides cash and in-kind assistance to indigent adults who are not eligible for other public assistance programs. Since FY 2023-24, the caseload has increased approximately 35% and costs have increased 39%. As of April 2026, there are 432 customers on the caseload.
At Mid-Year, it was estimated that the shortfall would be $406,417, but the Department monitored the expenses and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) reimbursements that offset the costs of the General Assistance Program to arrive at a better end of year estimate. The shortfall realized at the end of the fiscal year is $337,000.
The Department is requesting an increase in appropriations for the GA Entitlement Program of $337,000 due to the increase in caseload benefit costs for the FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget. This increase in General Fund Contributions (GFC) will be offset by a reduction in GFC in the Community Programs Budget and the Military & Veterans Affairs Budget due to savings in unbudgeted revenue and salary/benefit vacancy savings due to delays in hiring. There is no increase in GFC at the Department level.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT/COMMITTEE ACTIONS:
The County Administrator’s Office - Budget Office concurs with these actions.
FINANCING:
The Department is requesting an increase in the GA FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget by increasing appropriations of $337,000 in Fund 001-SOC002 to cover a shortfall in appropriations due to the increase in the caseload benefit costs. To finance the increase of GFC in the GA Budget, an increase in revenues of $202,276 in the Community Programs Fund 001-SOC004 FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget and a decrease in appropriations of $134,724 in the Military & Veterans Affairs Fund 001, Appropriations Unit SOC003 FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget.
The GFC reductions in the Community Programs Budget and the Military & Veterans Affairs Budget are due to salary/benefit vacancy savings due to delays in hiring and higher revenues than anticipated. There is no increase in GFC at the Department level.
These recommended actions will not increase the overall Department’s General Fund Contribution, as it merely transfers GFC funds between appropriation units for FY 2025-26.
The Department has taken a report to the Budget Committee in April on future reduction strategies for the General Assistance Program and will be bringing that report to the Board of Supervisors at a later date.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS:
This action correlates to the Health & Human Services Strategic Initiatives adopted by the Board of Supervisors by covering the shortfall of appropriations for the increased entitlement costs which provides benefits for residents of the County.
Check the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives:
__ Economic Development
_ Administration
X_Health & Human Services
__ Infrastructure
__ Public Safety
Prepared by: Becky Cromer, Finance Manager III, x 4404
Approved by: Roderick Franks, Director of Social Services x4430
Attachment: Resolution