News From State Worsens County’s Budget Troubles

San Diego County’s grim economic news just got worse.

John Sweeten, county director of intergovernmental affairs, informed a silent Board of Supervisors Tuesday that last week’s devastating budget cuts were even deeper than he had feared--and may grow deeper in the days and weeks ahead.

Because of trailer bills and riders on other bills being voted on this week in Sacramento, Sweeten said, actual figures are fluctuating almost from moment to moment. The supervisors plan a meeting Sept. 29 to assess the full impact of the cuts on San Diego County.

As of late Tuesday, the county’s state-imposed deficit had jumped from $34 million to $44 million to $46.2 million. One of the worst cuts affects trial-court funding, which supervisors had hoped might be spared.

Figures released Tuesday indicate the county’s trial-court funding is being cut by $10.4 million.

“The total fund for that is only $40.7 million, so you see how devastating that is,” county spokesman Robert A. Lerner said.

He said the property-tax deficit, thought to be $17.1 million last week, had, by 4 p.m. Tuesday, jumped to $17.9 million. “Other bills the governor has yet to sign off on may further decimate our budget,” Lerner said. “What was bad a week ago clearly got worse (Tuesday). It will probably be even more devastating before the week is over.”