San Mateo County Proposes Cutting Staff at Health Clinics
San Mateo County's $1.09 billion budget proposal for the year beginning July 1, released yesterday, would cut staff at the county health center and ask the county Human Services Agency and Mental Health Services Division to "tap reserves" to help offset a possible $12.3 million funding shortage for San Mateo's public hospital and clinics, the San Jose Mercury News reports. The proposal would lay off 50 temporary staff members who work as custodians, clerks and cooks at the facilities, for an estimated savings of more than $3 million. The county is also recommending that the Human Services Agency and Mental Health Services Division each contribute about $1 million in reserve funds to the hospital budget. The county would provide an additional $3 million from its general fund. County supervisors will vote on the plan after public hearings, which start June 25 (De Sa, San Jose Mercury News, 5/31).
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