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It is remarkable how quickly the time has passed since I assumed office nearly seven months ago. This new role has been an invaluable learning experience. Immediately upon starting in January, the county faced its first budget deficit in many years. We are contending with rising costs across the board, including equipment, construction materials, asphalt, services, and salaries, while our primary revenue sources, property tax and sales tax have not kept pace.
In response, we took necessary action to reduce our budget, while striving to minimize the impact on existing county programs and continuing to deliver the services our county expects.
The first few months were very challenging, but I am now gaining a comprehensive understanding of my role and responsibilities as your supervisor. My top priority remains public safety. Without a safe community we have nothing. I am proud to support our law enforcement professionals, fire department, and mental health agencies in their efforts to ensure El Dorado County remains a secure and desirable place to live.
This year's budget process has also highlighted the importance of focusing on economic development. I am committed to exploring opportunities that will generate additional county revenue without raising taxes.
El Dorado Hills is a wonderful place to call home. My own search for new communities in different states only reaffirmed that few places compare to our beautiful county. I encourage everyone to take a step back from the noise of social media and mainstream news, appreciate our community, and not be distracted by misinformation so prevalent in today's information landscape.
I hope you find value in my first newsletter, in which I have included links to a variety of county services. If you have suggestions for future newsletters, or if you would like to contact my office for any reason, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Wishing you and your family a safe and enjoyable summer.
Greg Ferrero
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