Proposed 2026-27 Budget

Overall Budget Summary

The Proposed Budget recommends a status quo staffing of 6.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions, including negotiated salary and benefit increases. Appropriations total $3,000,417, funded by revenues of $192,615 and a General Fund Contribution of $2,807,802.

Total expenses decrease by $11,000,513, and total revenues decrease by $10,565,492, largely from the implementation of zero-base grant budgeting for all grant programs. Rather than projecting multi-year grant awards, the Proposed Budget includes only confirmed funding, with any unspent or obligated prior-year grant funds rebudgeted through the Final Budget process. This change improves budget accuracy and transparency while lowering reported revenue and expense levels in the Proposed Budget.

The revenue included in the Proposed Budget reflects Measure Q local revenue, which funds 1.0 FTE position within OR3.

OR3’s Proposed Budget provides for a return of $275,741 back to the General Fund, reflecting efforts to align operations within available resources while maintaining core emergency management functions. No one-time use of fund balance is included in the Proposed Budget. The net result is an overall net decrease in appropriations of $11,000,513.

Funding Uncertainty and Unfunded Mandates: OR3 relies on State and federal funding, including Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) preparedness and hazard mitigation grants, to support core operations and programs. Federal actions, including H.R. 1 and potential reductions or consolidation of FEMA grant programs, along with uncertainty in State funding such as hazard mitigation and Proposition 4 grants, create ongoing risk to program funding. At the same time, new and expanding State and federal mandates, including climate-related requirements, increase workload without corresponding funding.

These combined pressures may delay grant awards, reduce funding availability, and require OR3 to rely on limited staff and external consultants to meet program and compliance requirements. This dynamic environment strains existing resources and may affect the timing and delivery of resilience, mitigation, and emergency management programs.

Limited Staffing Capacity and Expanding Program Responsibilities: OR3 operates with a small team relative to its countywide responsibilities, which include emergency operations coordination, grant administration, and implementation of hazard mitigation and climate initiatives. Limited staffing capacity constrains the office’s ability to manage complex projects, advance mitigation efforts, and pursue additional funding opportunities. The rapid emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) presents potential opportunities to enhance efficiency, situational awareness and support emergency response operations; however, it also introduces considerations related to sensitive information integrity, operational decision-making, and policy development that will require thoughtful evaluation.

The implementation of Measure Q and other County strategic priorities introduces additional coordination, planning, staffing, and reporting requirements. These expanding responsibilities increase workload and require prioritization across competing demands. Without additional capacity, OR3 must rely on interdepartmental collaboration and external consultants, which may affect project timelines, program delivery, and overall service levels.

Emergency Operations and Climate-Related Service Demands: Increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events drive demand for services such as emergency shelter operations and disaster response coordination. These activities require sustained staffing, coordination with partner agencies, and operational readiness. As demand increases, OR3 must balance immediate response needs with long-term planning and resilience efforts.