State workers being squeezed

With California facing a $1.1 billion drop in revenue, squeezing its workforce for savings is being felt — both great and small — in Colusa County.

State furloughs have forced Department of Motor Vehicle offices to close three days a month, and uniformed officers at the California Highway Patrol are picking up the slack for some workers being out.

"On some days, I'm the janitor," said Sgt. Pat Landreth, acting-commander of the Williams CHP office. "You just have to step up and do what has to be done — even if it's taking out the trash."

The state furlough program, which began in February, left many state workers off without pay up to three days each month. Colusa County Superior Court went dark one Wednesday a month, with Judges John H. Tiernan and Jeffery A. Thompson taking a cut in pay to equal their employees' lost wages.

The CHP chose to maintain normal business operations to the greatest extent possible, with offices that serve the public remaining open during normal business hours. Landreth said the biggest impact to the CHP office in Williams is the furlough of its non-uniformed personnel, which includes clerical, janitorial and vehicle maintenance staff.

The CHP chose to ensure continued public safety, service and security to the public by not reducing patrol services or response times to the public.

"We still have to make sure people get from point A to point B safely and efficiently," Landreth said.

At the Colusa County Fairgrounds, three furlough days a month for its small staff of four people has been tough, according to fair officials.

"I'm forklift certified," said Chief Executive Officer Carolan Meek. "But there are some things I just can't do."

Unlike the DMV, the 44th District Agriculture Association was exempt from scheduling specific closure days to accommodate furloughs. Meek said office closures are scheduled away from events being held at the fairgrounds as to have the least impact on the public.

But furloughs alone may not be enough to help the state deal with the $1.1 billion drop in revenue collections in just three months.

State controller John Chiang's monthly report, released Oct. 9, indicated that state revenue for the month of July, August and September was 5.3 percent less than assumed in the state's $85 billion annual budget, with income tax receipts leading the gab as unemployment reached 12.2 percent in August.

For the first three months of the fiscal year, total general fund revenue was nearly $1.1 billion below estimates, dealing a major blow to a budget that is barely 10-weeks old.

"While there are encouraging signs that California's economy is preparing for a comeback, the recession continues to drag state revenues down," Chaing said in a statement. "I urge lawmakers and the governor to prepare for more difficult decisions ahead."

While most state agencies in Colusa County rely on the state's General Fund for operations, the 44th District Agriculture Association (Fair Board) relies on good weather, great attractions and a sound enough economy as to not inhibit attendance to fairground events.

"The fair budget is different from other state agencies," Meek said. "We're pretty much self supporting."

The Fair Board approved its $1.2 million 2010 budget Thursday, based on conservative estimates for revenue.

Meek said as a result of the economy, revenue from just the Colusa County Fair admission was about $20,000 less than in 2008. Revenue from other non-fair attractions also dropped in 2009.

The board projected a drop in total revenue for 2010 to be about $80,000, but remained optimistic about delivering good and possibly new events at the county fairgrounds to boost admissions.

Although boat shows, recreational vehicle and gun shows have dropped in numbers throughout the country as a result of the economy, the fair board is trying to bring horse shows and other non-fair programs to the county, which helps boost the local economy as well as fairground revenue.

"Events bring people to the area," Meek said. "They stay in our hotels and eat in our restaurants."

Furlough Closures:

Colusa County Superior Court: Nov. 18

Colusa DMV: Nov. 6, Nov. 13, Nov. 20

Colusa County Fairgrounds: Unscheduled

Holidays: State offices will be closed Veterans Day Nov. 11 and

Thanksgiving Day Nov. 26.

Contact Susan Meeker at 458-2121 or smeeker@tcnpress.com.