Supes Slash and Dash County Budget.
Courtesy of the Mountain Messenger Newspaper

DOWNIEVILLE­
A special, continued meeting of the Board of Supervisors 

was held in Downieville on Wednesday. Expecting the legislature’s 

failed budget hopes, the supes were prepared to receive some bad news.

Auditor Van Maddox refused to disappoint them. The best guess on the 

bad news, Maddox informed the board, is a $340,000 hole in next 

year’s revenues. Of course, that can change, Maddox reminded the 

board: it could get worse.

Despite pleas by Planning/ Public Works Director Tim Beals for a 

slower, considered, “global” approach to cuts and potential income, 

the supes had come with red pencils sharpened.

Postponing action, Chairman Bill Nunes warned, is just what got the 

state in trouble: prompt reductions would alleviate the pain that is 

sure to come.

Speaking in support of Beals, Auditor Maddox asked that staff be 

considered.

“Like it or not, we’re balancing the budget on the backs of 

employees. They should have as much say as possible,” Maddox told the 

board.

The supes promptly slapped on a hiring freeze, forbade promotions or 

merit pay increases, and will soon prime County staff for upcoming 

furloughs. By raiding every pot of money, squirrelled away for 

potential disasters, and cutting staff time, the supes think they 

have found the necessary savings. Here we go again....