Borrego Pitches County for Funding
Last updated 6/16/2016 at 4:31am
Non-profit organizations gathered together Monday June. 13, as the public hearings began on the county’s proposed $5.35 billion budget for the 2016-17 fiscal year.
Representatives of the organizations stood before the Board of Supervisors to give a two-minute speech, seeking funding for causes they say stimulates tourism, creates jobs, and to hold civic and cultural events that lead to a better quality of life for San Diegans. They said the groups also promote the arts, historical foundations, chambers of commerce, museums and other organizations.
Betsy Knaak, executive director of the Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association and the Borrego Desert Nature Center, told the board that her organization this fall will be celebrating its 45th anniversary of promoting the region as a destination for visitors for its unique environment.
“Desert tours, farm tours, moonlight walks and lectures about geology and reptiles are just a few of the examples of the more than 150 programs we offer each year,” Knaak said. “A recent interview of our dark sky committee members resulted in articles and photographs about Borrego Springs appearing in two Swedish astronomy publications, as well as one in Norway, helping to spread the word worldwide about Borrego’s starry, night sky.”
The hearing on the Community Enhancement Program is scheduled to continue Tuesday, with public testimony scheduled to begin Wednesday on the overall spending plan.
The budget envisions spending 1.2 percent less money than the current fiscal year because of a shift to the state of responsibilities for in-home supportive services. The county plans to add the equivalent of 344.5 staff years in 2016-17, bringing total employment to 17,380 staff years — quantified in that manner to account for part-time positions. Most of the new jobs will be in public safety and the Health and Human Services Agency.
The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to conduct its budget deliberations June 28. Upon adoption, the county spending plan would take effect July 1.
