Supervisor MacGlashan Announces Establishment of Community Budget Oversight Panel

Citrus Heights – Sacramento County Supervisor Roberta MacGlashan announced during remarks to the Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce today (April 14th) that she will be convening a group of community members to review the County’s budget and identify ways to reduce spending, improve efficiencies, and eliminate unnecessary or outdated programs as she prepares to deal with an unprecedented shortfall in the County’s General Fund budget.

“Hard working families are sitting around the kitchen table every night trying to figure out how they’re going to make it through these tough times,” said Supervisor MacGlashan, “It’s time the County did the same. That’s why I am putting together a group of people with a wide range of experience and knowledge to help me lead a frank discussion on the challenges of protecting taxpayers and providing essential services.”

MacGlashan’s decision to establish this committee comes as the County is preparing to deal with an estimated $187 million shortfall in the County’s General Fund. MacGlashan has called for additional information in previous years’ budget hearings, with limited success. “I’ve been pushing for more transparency and accountability for years, and I simply cannot continue to wait any longer for accurate and complete information to make the tough decisions,” continued MacGlashan, “I believe this committee is necessary to getting the information I need to make Sacramento County work most effectively for the taxpayers.”

“The County, like almost every local government in the state, has been hit hard by the economic downturn. It’s time for us to open the books and make the same difficult decisions that families and small businesses are making,” she said, “We must reduce spending to deal with these tough times, but we must do so responsibly and ensure that the County provides the most critical services at the greatest value to the taxpayers.”

MacGlashan pointed out that the committee will be made up of volunteers with experience in budget and finance in both the private and public sectors. The committee will be tasked to act quickly, at no cost to the taxpayers, to provide additional oversight into the County’s budget process as the Board of Supervisors prepares for preliminary budget hearings in May.

MacGlashan Then Announces Volunteer Budget Committee Members

Supervisor Roberta MacGlashan has announced that the following people have agreed to serve on a budget committee she has established to advise her on how best to deal with an unprecedented $187 million shortfall in the County’s General Fund. MacGlashan envisions the group providing increased transparency and honesty in the budget process, along with helping her establish a clear path towards ensuring the County of Sacramento has a more stable and reliable budget into the future.

The membership includes: Former United State Congressman Doug Ose will serve as Committee Chairman, Citrus Heights Mayor James Shelby, Folsom City Council Member Kerri Howell, Retired Sacramento County Finance Officer Geoff Davey, Undersheriff Mark Iwasa, recommended by Sheriff John McGinness, Chief Deputy District Attorney Cindy Besemer, recommended by District Attorney Jan Scully, People’s Advocate Chief Executive Officer Ted Costa, Sacramento County Central Labor Council Executive Secretary Bill Camp, and Former Sacramento County District 4 Chief of Staff Dennis Rogers.

Former Congressman Ose said of the committee, “"I am honored to be asked to help in this effort. The County's fiscal situation as it has developed over the past ten years affects all of us. Supervisor MacGlashan has recognized the critical nature of the problem. We will be providing feedback immediately." Supervisor MacGlashan is also working with taxpayer groups and chambers of commerce to identify additional leaders to join this panel.

“I look forward to the recommendations that this committee will make to help the County through these extraordinary times, and appreciate their willingness to volunteer for their community,” said MacGlashan, “I expect a frank and honest review of the County budget from this committee, and will be flexible with the committee membership, adding members when it makes sense to do so.”