Independent evaluation spells trouble for San Benito County budget

SAN BENITO COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) - San Benito County supervisors heard an independent evaluation of the county's budget performance on Tuesday.

Finding paperwork problems that have confused the county's financial position.

One key observation was that a large deficit has been projected every year since 2021; however, actual results were significantly better due to higher revenues and lower expenditures than expected, although the deficit persisted.

The general fund has been dipping in recent years due to these deficits --

Supervisors are now seeking ways to rebuild it.

"We had a gradual buildup to a healthy reserve, and I think in a sense we will have to repeat the cycle again, taking a fresh look at the budget, but I would like to get there quickly," said Kollin Kosmicki

These reserves are in jeopardy as the county stares down a major deficit in fiscal year 2026.

Evaluators say the county needs to cut expenditures by more than 25 million dollars to eliminate the financial gaps.