By Khalida Sarwari
The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors this morning passed a $4 billion budget for the new fiscal year at the culmination of weeklong budget hearings.
The board voted unanimously to approve a budget recommended by county Executive Jeff Smith that addresses a $219.6 million deficit in the county’s general fund through program and service cuts, use of one-time revenue and layoffs.
The $4 billion recommended budget takes into account all services, operations, capital improvements and reserves.
Earlier this week, hundreds of social workers showed up at a hearing to plead that their jobs and services be given fair consideration.
On Wednesday, the board held a hearing related to the budget for a number of public safety departments, including the offices of the district attorney, public defender, and sheriff.
The county is depending on receiving $75 million in general fund savings from labor agreements.