Santa Clara County budget makes steep cuts to safety net programs amid $787M deficit

Santa Clara County leaders are recommending a net reduction of 464 jobs across the region’s social safety net programs to shoulder a $787 million deficit in their nearly $15 billion budget.

County Executive James Williams’ Friday recommendations mark a 7.5% spending increase to the county budget compared to last year, as expenses continue to outpace revenue due to slow growth in property tax revenue. This year’s starker fiscal crisis accounts for unprecedented federal spending cuts under H.R. 1, the federal spending bill creating $1 billion in annual losses to the county. The Board of Supervisors could still make changes before adopting the budget by June 31.