Almost 13 percent of the “right-sized” workforce San Joaquin County leaders believe is needed to provide services in an adequate and efficient manner for 800,900 residents has not been filled.

The budget for the current fiscal year ending June 30 has 7,650 allocated positions. 

As of Dec. 31,  a staff report indicated 6,675 positions were filled while 1,077 were vacant.

The status of the county workforce is part of the mid-year budget report going before the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors.

The biggest areas of  staffing shortfalls as of Dec. 31 were:

*343 vacancies among 2,029 positions for law and justice that encompasses sheriff deputies, jailers, prosecutors, probation officers, public defenders, and court staffing.

*451 vacancies among 3,032 health positions that includes San Joaquin General Hospital and public health services.

*152 vacancies among 1,519 human services positions including the welfare system, behavioral services, and such.

A further breakdown shows a 15 percent vacancy rate in the sheriff’s department where 136 positions were unfilled and 9 percent at San Joaquin General Hospital where 131 positions were vacant.

The biggest shortfall by far is in the Health Care Service Agency with 273 positions or 21 percent of the allotted positions unfilled

The unfilled positions at mid-year has allowed the county to project $4.9 million in benefit and salary savings when the fiscal year ends June 30.

It is out of an over $5.6 million in savings from general government expected on June 30.

The adjusted fiscal year budget contains $476.5 million in expenses The county at midyear was under budget by $38.1 million.

The adopted budget called for $441.1 million in revenue for the fiscal year.

The midyear projection has the county now on course to receive $18.6 million more in revenue than projected.

That includes a $11.2 million jump in secured and unsecured property taxes and $5.7 million more than the $14 million of projected interest income.

Sales tax for the year, however, is now on track to come in at $30.5 million as opposed to the budgeted projection of $32.1 million.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com