The Board of Supervisors (BOS) approved the Fiscal Year 2024 Carryover Budget Package at their meeting on Tuesday, September 24. The package includes a total carryover balance of $240.6 million—a $181.38 million General Fund balance and $59.22 million in federal coronavirus state and local recovery funds.
The approved carryover package allocates $180.36 million of the General Fund balance, as outlined below, based on prior county commitments, Board of Supervisors priorities and other critical requirements. The remainder, along with $0.23 million held in reserve as part of the FY 2025 Adopted Budget Plan, leaves $1.25 million in reserve for one-time requirements.
What is Carryover?
Carryover refers to the process of potentially reallocating unencumbered funds for commitments to pay for goods and services at the end of one fiscal year to the next fiscal year. The Carryover package may also include funding for one-time items approved by the Board of Supervisors that are not included in the Adopted budget.
For FY 2024, the General Fund's revised expenditure budget stands at $1.975 billion, with actual expenditures totaling $1.866 billion. Revenue surpassed expectations, with actual revenues of $5.223 billion, $71.66 million more than the revised revenue budget.
Carryover Allocations
The FY 2024 Carryover Review includes several key allocations from the available balance:
- Reserves and Capital Investments: $66.78 million is earmarked for infrastructure and reserve funds. This includes $38.14 million for the Capital Sinking Fund and $25.43 million for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. This allocation supports ongoing infrastructure needs and improvements in pedestrian and bike access.
- Other Requirements: Notable allocations include $8.05 million for continued support of the county’s environmental and energy strategies—building energy improvements, electric vehicle charging stations and climate action; $8 million to address emergency systems failures at aging county facilities, $7.16 million for IT architecture improvements, and $5.36 million to establish a Fire and Rescue Department (FRD) pharmacy, required as hospital pharmacies stop providing medication to FRD as a result of D.E.A. law and regulation enforcement changes. An additional $5 million is recommended for investment in escalating construction costs for ongoing capital projects.
Addressing Emerging Needs
The review also addresses several emerging needs:
- Recruitment and Retention: $1.93 million is allocated to enhance recruitment and retention in the Department of Family Services and the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services. This includes converting certain positions to merit status and funding additional positions.
- Shelter and Services: $1.39 million will support a temporary overnight shelter in the North County Human Services Building. Additionally, $0.96 million is allocated to replace state funding for victim services programs.
IT and Capital Investments
Significant funding is directed toward IT and capital improvements. $6.94 million is allocated for IT projects, including payment system modernization and GIS infrastructure upgrades.
Park and Recreation Enhancements
The review funds $13.35 million in support for park enhancements and recreation facility improvements including $5 million for capital improvement projects and $2.5 million for renovations to outdoor sports courts.
Federal Stimulus Funds
The carryover package carries forward $59.22 million in unspent federal stimulus funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF). Since receiving $222.89 million in ARPA funds across FY 2021 and FY 2022, the county has expended $163.67 million, with the remaining balance carried forward into FY 2025. These funds must be used by the end of 2026.
More information is available from the Department of Management and Budget.
SIGN UP FOR DAILY EMAIL HEADLINES