By Cris Alarcon, InEDC Writer. (April 14, 2025)
There are significant corrections to this story, See them here:
Despite public concerns, El Dorado County confirms the El Dorado Hills Senior Day Care remains open and juvenile services are fully funded.
El Dorado County Refutes Claims of Senior Center Closure and Juvenile Program Cuts
In a decisive move to address mounting fiscal challenges, the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved significant budget reductions for the 2025–26 fiscal year during a prolonged meeting on April 8. The cuts, aimed at mitigating a downturn in discretionary General Fund revenues and escalating costs from unfunded state mandates, will impact a broad spectrum of county services, including senior care, juvenile programs, wildfire preparedness, and tourism-related initiatives.
Strategic Reallocations and Service Consolidations
The Board’s approved motion, introduced by Supervisor Lori Parlin and seconded by Supervisor George Veerkamp, initiates a series of strategic reallocations:
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Senior Services: The El Dorado Hills Senior Day Care facility is slated for closure, consolidating services at the Placerville location. Fees will incrementally increase over three years to achieve full cost recovery, adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index.
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Juvenile Programs: Funding designated for the Juvenile Treatment Center update will be redirected to a Spring Street replacement designation. The county will explore alternative service models for juvenile detention in collaboration with regional partners.
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Wildfire Preparedness: The Office of Wildfire Preparedness and Resilience will experience a 47% reduction in General Fund support. The county plans to leverage code enforcement officers to conduct inspections, aiming to maintain essential services despite budget constraints.
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Tourism and Fire Services: The Board voted to discontinue fire tourism impact funding for FY 2025–26. This decision affects agencies like the Lake Valley Fire Protection District (LVFPD), which faces a potential $450,000 funding reduction, threatening its defensible space program. LVFPD Captain Martin Goldberg expressed concern, stating that funding cuts would hinder their ability to exceed basic service levels .
Transportation and Recreational Facilities
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Transit Services: The Board voted 4-1 to defund the South Tahoe Transit Joint Powers Authority, with Supervisor Brooke Laine dissenting. Conversely, funding for the Sacramento-Placerville Transportation Corridor JPA will continue, passing 4-1, again with Laine in opposition.
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Placerville Aquatic Center: A motion to allocate $37,500 for the center’s operation, contingent upon its opening, was superseded by a subsequent motion to eliminate funding altogether. The latter motion passed narrowly, leaving the facility’s future uncertain.
Fiscal Outlook and Future Planning
The adopted $1.06 billion budget, reflecting a 3.7% increase from the previous year, relies on $12.6 million in one-time funds—a temporary measure highlighting the urgency for sustainable financial reform. Chief Administrative Officer Tiffany Schmid emphasized the need for continued difficult decisions to maintain service commitments within fiscal constraints.
Looking ahead, departments have been directed to prepare scenarios for 5% and 10% budget reductions for the FY 2026–27 budget. Additionally, the Board instructed staff to develop a retirement incentive plan and explore revenue-generating options in collaboration with the Budget Ad Hoc committee.
Community Engagement
Residents interested in reviewing the detailed discussions can access the full budget meeting from April 8, 2025, on YouTube by searching “EDC Board Meeting 4-8-2025.” The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to reconvene on April 22 at 9 a.m. to continue budget deliberations.
Watch the Debate
Interested residents can review the full meeting, held April 8, 2025, by visiting the county’s YouTube channel and searching “EDC Board Meeting 4-8-2025.”
