Proposed 2025-26 Budget

Overall Budget Summary

The Proposed Budget recommends status quo staffing of 110.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) and includes negotiated salary and benefit increases. Appropriations total $26,749,812, funded by revenues of $8,589,109 and a General Fund contribution of $18,160,703.

The Budget includes an increase in total revenues of $85,584 primarily from consumer fraud penalties and workers’ compensation insurance fraud fees. Total expenditures increased by $804,182 largely from a $135,000 increase for enhancing existing software capacity to maintain, process and analyze digital evidence and a $394,321 increase from changes in facility charges to properly reflect the cost of facility services and utilities.

Federal Funding Risks: Based on Presidential Executive Orders, the current federal administration has threatened to withhold federal funds from local jurisdictions that do not adhere to its immigration policies. In response, Santa Cruz County remains steadfast in its commitment as a Sanctuary County, dedicated to safeguarding the rights of its community members under these policies. As a result, we are concerned about the possibility of a reduction or disruption in federal funding for some of our programs. Specifically, our Victim-Witness Assistance Program is set to receive $683,506 in federal grant funding for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25 from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal-OES) to deliver 11 required advocacy services in accordance with California Penal Code Section 13835.5. These funds account for 44% of the program's total costs. Additionally, recent news clippings reveal that the United State Department of Justice may temporarily suspend federal Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) funding. In FY 2024-25, the DAO receives approximately $138,000 in COPS funding to support a staff member through the Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Fund (SLESF). While the exact financial impact for FY 2025-26 is still unclear, it’s reasonable to expect that the effect may be similarly significant.

Federal Immigration Policies: Recent federal immigration policies have intensified enforcement actions, particularly targeting sanctuary jurisdictions, such as Santa Cruz County, that may limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. For undocumented individuals who are victims or witnesses of crimes, these policies can create significant challenges. The threat of federal intervention and potential legal actions against sanctuary policies may deter undocumented individuals from reporting crimes or participating as witnesses, fearing deportation or legal repercussions. This environment of fear can undermine public safety and hinder the pursuit of justice.

State Legislative Impacts: The DAO faces ongoing challenges due to frequently changing State legislation, such as evolving provisions in California Penal Code Section 741. This section mandates the implementation of race-blind charging procedures, requiring the removal of racial identifiers from case files during initial reviews to minimize bias in prosecutorial decisions. These shifts necessitate additional work, constant updates to internal processes, including training, technology adjustments, and procedural changes. As a result, the DAO must stay adaptable to ensure compliance with new State laws, which can strain resources and complicate case management, while also striving to maintain fairness and justice in prosecutions.