Kern County departments are on track for spending as of the midyear budget report. Elsa Martinez from the County Administrative Office told Supervisors Tuesday the DA’s office is below budget because of open vacancies, while the Sheriff’s Academy is down to just seven cadets. “The department continues to struggle with attrition in the deputy ranks, and will likely need continue to train 35 to 40 deputies every year.”  Martinez says the Fire Fund is still waiting on reimbursement for services, and pension costs for safety personnel will be a challenge. The first public hearing on the new budget is February 26th.

Suzanne Grant