Stockton, CA - On Tuesday, June 17, 2025, the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisor>s approved the County's annual budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026, which begins July 1. The balanced $3 billion budget invests in critical services, prioritizes public safety and homelessness, and reflects the County's continued commitment to responsible financial stewardship.

The County has now approved a structurally balanced budget for 12 consecutive years-without relying on previous years' savings to pay current obligations. It also sets aside more than $151 million for contingencies and contributes to the County's unfunded retirement liability.

"At a time when governments across the State are facing tough budget decisions, I'm proud that San Joaquin County has passed a balanced budget for the 12th year in a row," commented Board Chair Paul Canepa. "That kind of financial responsibility allows us to invest in programs like SJCares, which connects people struggling with addiction or homelessness to the behavioral health support they need. We're also making it a priority to clean up parks and public spaces-because everyone deserves a safer, healthier place to live."

Budget Overview: Where the Money Comes From

• 79.8% comes from departmental revenue, including State and Federal funding, which is allocated for specific program uses largely outside the Board's discretion.
• 15.8% (approximately $476.8 million) comes from local sources such as property and sales tax. This is known as General Purpose Revenue, where the Board has discretion to set spending priorities.
• 4.4% comes from non-General Fund balances, such as project-specific reserves.

Key Investments:

Public Safety: Over 60% of the Board's discretionary revenue goes to law and justice. This includes new positions in the Public Defender's Office and support for the County Cold Case Task Force.

Homelessness & Behavioral Health: Expands SJ CARES to connect unsheltered individuals to services and launches the new San Joaquin Be Well Campus for behavioral health and addiction treatment.

Parks & Recreation: Improves irrigation and restrooms in parks, and funds new development in South County and a Countywide parks master plan.

Infrastructure: Includes funding for a new Sheriff's training facility, demolition of the old courthouse, and development of a safe camping site for unhoused residents.

Good Stewardship and Governance

Supervisor Mario Gardea, District One Supervisor commented on the importance of good financial decisions, "As a former union leader who helped firefighters navigate through a city bankruptcy, I've seen firsthand what happens when we don't plan for the future. That experience drives my commitment to financial responsibility here at the County. This budget reflects that-we're meeting our obligations to our employees, continuing to pay down retirement liabilities, and still setting aside the resources we'll need to weather whatever comes next."

District 4 Supervisor Steve Ding added, "As a small business owner, I know how important it is to live within your means, plan ahead, and be ready for whatever curveballs come your way. I bring that same mindset to County government. We have to be vigilant-especially as the State continues to shift costs onto local governments. This budget reflects fiscal discipline, long-term planning, and a commitment to protecting local taxpayers."

Parks and Recreation

District 1 Supervisor Mario Gardea continued by emphasizing the importance of local investments. "In District One, we have an abundance of County parks, but many have been overlooked for too long. I'm glad this budget includes funding to restore and improve these spaces," he said. "When we invest in services and improve local park properties, we are investing in the future of San Joaquin County- our families and children. We support safe areas for children to play and families to spend time together without asking families to stretch their own budgets further."

Homelessness and Behavioral Health

A cornerstone of the 2025-26 budget is the San Joaquin Be Well Campus, a new treatment facility that will transform behavioral health and substance abuse care in the region.

"We have used our resources wisely and strategically to maximize their impact with State and Federal funds to build our new San Joaquin Be Well Campus," added Supervisor Ding. "That strategic thinking extends to updating the laws that govern these types of campuses and having the Opioid Settlement Funds help pay for the building as well. We are pulling out all the stops to address this addiction and homelessness crisis and put an end to it."

"As San Joaquin County continues to grow, we must ensure our services and infrastructure keep pace with the needs of our residents," said District 3 Supervisor Sonny Dhaliwal. "The new San Joaquin Be Well Campus will position us as a regional leader in mental health care-offering a full continuum of services, from crisis response to long-term treatment and supportive housing. This investment will not only improve individual outcomes but transform the mental health landscape for the entire Valley."

The budget also expands the County's SJ CARES homelessness response program, supports a safe camping site for unhoused individuals, and includes funding for continued mental health care coordination within the County Jail.

Commitment to Public Safety

Supervisor Robert Rickman, who represents District 5, underscored the Board's dedication to law and justice funding:

"We're not just preparing for economic uncertainty-we're making sure County services stay strong, safe, and reliable. This year, more than half of our discretionary budget pays for the law and justice departments that keep our residents safe and ensure that we are able to hold people who break the law accountable in the justice system. We're backing that up with real investment: hiring more personnel, upgrading equipment, and ensuring that the people working to keep our communities safe have the tools they need to do the job."

Rickman also addressed concerns about shifting costs in the face of a looming State budget crisis and economic uncertainty:

"Time and again, we see Sacramento politicians balance their budgets with so-called 'creative' solutions that end up pushing costs down to counties like ours. It's unacceptable. San Joaquin County shouldn't be left holding the bag for decisions made miles away. My priority is making sure local resources stay local-so we can fund the public safety, infrastructure, and essential services our communities actually depend on."

Laying the Groundwork for Growth

Supervisor Dhaliwal, a former mayor and longtime civic leader, emphasized the budget's long-range vision:

"With over two decades of experience in city government, I know how critical economic development is to building a strong and sustainable future. This budget reflects that understanding. We're not just balancing the books-we're laying the groundwork for long-term growth by investing in the infrastructure, services, and stability that attract businesses and support working families." Chair Canepa added a second perspective grounded in his experience navigating bankruptcy as a city leader:

"At the end of the day, my goal is to help people-but I know from experience that you can't do that if your finances are upside down. As a small business owner and someone who served on the Stockton City Council during bankruptcy, I've seen what happens when you run out of options and are left with nothing but bad choices. That's why I'm committed to keeping San Joaquin County in the green. This budget reflects responsible planning, resourceful thinking, and a clear focus on protecting the services our residents count on-now and into the future."

The presented budget documents are available for review and download on the County website.

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