Proposed 2025-26 Budget

Overall Budget Summary

The Proposed Budget recommends increasing staffing to 358.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions, including negotiated salary and benefit increases. The Sheriff-Coroner budget adds 1.0 FTE Sheriff’s Property and Evidence Supervisor for the DNA Laboratory, while 1.0 FTE limited term Program Coordinator position expired mid-year. It also extends 1.0 FTE limited term Coroner Investigator through June 30, 2026. Appropriations total $114,188,561, funded by revenues of $39,674,148, a General Fund contribution of $71,391,413, and a District Sales Tax contribution of $3,123,000.

The Budget includes an increase in total revenues of $100,848 due to a $131,449 increase from a California Department of Justice (DOJ) grant. Total expenditures increased by $1,699,210 largely from a $1,121,351 increase in salary and benefit costs, including the addition of $352,826 for Court Security and 1.0 FTE Sheriff’s Property and Evidence Supervisor for the DNA Laboratory. Additional increases consist of $815,509 from a change in facility charges to properly reflect the costs of facility services and utilities and $860,000 in medical and pharmacy services. These increases are offset by a $1,425,474 decrease in technology support and radio system services.

The Sheriff-Coroner budget reflects a strong commitment to enhancing public safety through innovative service partnerships and improvements to correctional facilities, prioritizing the safety of both inmates and staff. The department is actively pursuing accreditation for both the DNA Laboratory and jail medical services. However, anticipated changes in federal funding, particularly due to the DOJ's position on sanctuary jurisdictions, may negatively impact federal grant revenue.

A District Sales Tax contribution of $2,123,000 supports the Patrol Division, which provides 24-hour emergency and non-emergency law enforcement services, response, and criminal investigation to unincorporated areas. In addition, a District Sales Tax contribution of $1,000,000 supports the Community Services Division’s work with neighborhood residents to identify problems and work together to find long-term solutions. Community Service Centers operate in Davenport, Boulder Creek, Felton, Live Oak/Soquel, Aptos, and Watsonville. These amounts are part of the existing General Fund contribution but are shown separately.

Unfunded Mandates: Senate Bill 43 (expanding conservatorship), CARE (Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment) Court, and Proposition 36 are unfunded mandates that may lead to increased jail confinement and additional costs for medical holds due to changes to broaden the definition of grave disability to include substance use disorder. Financial impact is currently unknown, and it is expected to increase jail confinements and associated costs.

Federal Grant Funding: Executive orders issued by the federal administration may result in changes to federal grant funding that will negatively impact grant revenue, particularly due to the DOJ’s stance on sanctuary jurisdictions. This may put at risk grant funding estimated at $1 million annually. This may impact services rendered to incarcerated women by the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment program and to youth by The Santa Cruz County Comprehensive School Safety Program. Both are funded through the California Board of State and Community Corrections Justice Assistance Grants.

Increased Jail Medical Costs: Jail medical costs continue to climb primarily because of increasing acuity of mental health disorders among people in jail. Currently, over 60% of people in jail are on some type of psychotropic medication, with limited options for services outside of a custodial setting that ensure adequate treatment and public safety. Annual increases based on changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) are expected to range from 2.6% to 5%.

Increased Court Security Costs: The State shifted to the County the responsibility for Court Security, which includes courtroom and perimeter security, entry screening, prisoner escort, and holding cell monitoring. Costs have steadily increased, from $3.4 million in 2015-16 to a Proposed 2025-26 Budget of $6.1 million, for an annual average increase of 6.1%. Over the same period, State revenue for Court Security has remained flat, growing from $3.4 million to $3.7 million, or 1.1% annually. Since 2015-16, the General Fund has contributed $16.7 million to subsidize Court Security, reducing resources that could be used for other priority services.