Ventura County budget includes funding for homeless shelters, COVID relief


FINANCES—The Ventura County Board of Supervisors recently approved a $2.55-billion budget. Acorn file photo

FINANCES—The Ventura County Board of Supervisors recently approved a $2.55-billion budget. Acorn file photo

The Ventura County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a $2.55-billion balanced budget for fiscal year 2021-22 at a recent budget hearing.

The budget is the result of more than six months of work with departments, the fiscal team, the board and community.

The budget includes ongoing support of year-round shelters, rapid rehousing/rental assistance, street outreach, homelessness prevention, landlord engagement, youth services and permanent supportive housing.

Additional state and federal funding is also under review to support continued crisis response and permanent housing resources.

The budget also includes expanding public health services, new positions in mental health diversion programs, increased staffing and services funding in the Farmworker Resource Program, new positions to support diversity, equity, inclusion and community engagement efforts.

Regarding mental health services, the budget includes a General Fund contribution to fund staffing for seven remaining inpatient psychiatric beds at the Ventura County Medical Center Inpatient Psychiatric Unit.

The increased funding will enable the county to add four additional chairs to the Crisis Stabilization Unit.

In addition, the budget includes funding and staffing for the implementation of the Climate Action Plan, which evaluates policies for greenhouse gas reduction, sea level rise and climate adaptation strategies.

The budget also provides support for foster youth and adult protective services, increased substance use services, and the transition of the state Division of Juvenile Justice closure that shifts responsibility for young adults up to age 25 to county youth facilities among other areas of public safety and wellness.

The county continues to invest in infrastructure including significant upgrades to fire stations and the purchase of the Family Justice Center to provide services to victims of crimes.

Key budget highlights include a total county appropriation of $2.55 billion, up $97.9 million or 4% from the prior year.

General Fund general purpose revenues include $464.8 million, up $17.2 million or 3.9% from the prior year.

COVID-19 response programs carried forward include business assistance grants, housing support for people facing homelessness, vaccine distribution, providing food to homebound seniors and those with disabilities, farmworker assistance and Ventura County medical System Operations.

The budget increases business fee waivers to 100%, totaling an estimated $3.6 million in support of further pandemic economic recovery.

The budget comes after continuing the county’s $373 million

COVID-19 Spending Plan through June 30, which was budgeted to ensure that the maximum amount was invested in services for the community.