Since the passage of Proposition 13 in 1978, county budgets have been closely linked to the actions of the State. Many county programs rely on State (and to some degree, Federal) funding. To that end, the Legislature has enacted a number of rules regarding the collection and disbursement of property taxes as the financial funding foundation of local governments. The timely adoption of an annual State Budget is imperative to ensure funding for vital county programs such as health and social services, infrastructure, environment, public safety, elections, and transportation.
RCRC engages in the State Budget process on key issues of concern for rural counties including water, natural resources, transportation, corrections, public safety, climate change, health and human services, and education. From the introduction of the Governor’s January Proposed Budget, until its final signature, RCRC works with members of the Legislature and Administration to ensure the State Budget provides adequate funding for rural county governments.
RCRC is committed to ensuring counties receive revenues to which they are entitled. Such payments include those from the State for state mandates on local governments, State Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT), tribal gaming local mitigation funding, realignment funding, and a host of health and human services issues that the counties administer on behalf of the State. At the Federal level, RCRC advocates for counties to continue to receive appropriate levels of funding for various programs including Secure Rural Schools (SRS) payments, Federal PILT, and various transportation funds.