VISALIA — “I have no bright and shining news to share.”

That’s how Tulare County Board of Supervisors chairman Phil Cox set the tone for the 2009 State of the County address Tuesday morning at the supervisors’ chambers in Visalia.

“One doesn’t need to be an economist to realize our nation and the State of California are in deep financial trouble,” he said.

Cox compared the current budget situation to watching a World War II movie, and being in a bunker — waiting for the mortars to hit.

“That is how I felt as we watched our state budget process moving as slow as it has,” Cox said. “Every day we have a different mortar being fired, and I wonder where it is going to hit next.”

Cox talked on how the state’s budget issues have affected local funding for transportation, construction projects and the county’s health and social services programs — which has resulted in a $10 million loss in state funding for health care programs, the issuance of 300 layoff notices and the contemplated closure of two public health clinics while consolidating other services.

John Davis and his Health and Human Services Agency team have seen the fiscal writing on the wall and have tried to prepare for it, Cox said.

In the past 18 months, the state removed the county’s baseline funding, reduced the sales tax revenue payments and diverted other funds totaling millions of dollars — actions which have resulted in the board needing to consider HHSA program reductions.

“It is clear to see that [Davis’] recommendations to the board during these tough economic times are not easy ones,” Cox said.

Cox acknowledged concerns for the county’s employees and their families, and said the county has no choice but to address the loss of state and federal dollars that have traditionally funded health programs.

“Tulare County really is a poor county and we do not have the economic means to fund these programs with local dollars,” Cox said. “We do not know what the state has in store for us next, but we will work hard to weather this fiscal crisis and mandate our public services.”

During the address, Cox also shared information about each of the supervisors, listing some of their accomplishments during their term and praising them for their dedication to the board.

He also highlighted some of the county’s accomplishments over the past four years, including a new fire department, new IT department, new leadership in HHSA, and a new county administrative officer — Jean Rousseau, whom he praised.

“His knowledge of government financing and his fiscal experience have served this county well,” Cox said.

The leadership of the Tulare County Workforce Investment Board, Adam Peck, was also acknowledged and praised.

“I asked every department head to tell me the affects of the state budget — and to then give me a silver lining,” Cox said. “All of them said ‘There are none.’”

Cox said he agrees and disagrees.

“It is hard to find the silver lining in these hard economic times,” he said, “but it is easy to find a silver lining in the dedication of the leaders of the county.”

Cox also warned that all was not behind them and more cuts may be seen.

“But Tulare County has always been fiscally conservative,” he said. “We will make sound choices. We always try to look long term. Some of these decisions will be painful. The county has to make tough choices now to prepare us for a brighter future.”

-- Contact Esther Avila at 784-5000, Ext. 1047, or eavila@portervillerecorder.com.