Voter Info

Making the Tough Calls: Fiscal Responsibility in Action

Amador County is facing a $3.5 million budget deficit, and the decisions ahead are not easy. As your Supervisor, Brian Oneto has consistently taken a common-sense approach to managing taxpayer dollars—prioritizing essential services like law enforcement and road maintenance while ensuring the county lives within its means. With a $50 million general budget and limited revenue, every dollar matters. Brian has been willing to make the tough “No” votes when necessary, even when it comes with political consequences. From opposing unnecessary spending to rejecting pay raises for himself, his record reflects a clear commitment to fiscal responsibility, transparency, and protecting the long-term financial stability of Amador County.

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY: Wise Use of Taxpayer Funds while Achieving County Priorities

Supervisor Oneto takes his responsibility seriously to ensure Taxpayer funds are allocated and spent wisely to address County priorities, including (but not limited to):

  • Law enforcement
  • Road maintenance and improvement
  • Public service

THE FACTS:

Amador county is facing a $3.5 million deficit for the upcoming fiscal year. 

The Amador County budget (excluding grants) is approximately $50 million a year.

The County generates $50 million in revenue (property & sales taxes, etc.).

In FY 2025-26 the county received millions in grants.  However these funds are generally  targeted for specific projects (roads, fuel reduction, public safety, etc.) and are not available for other purposes.

THE BOTTOM LINE: The county budget must be reduced by $3.5 million. The entire board recently joined together in requesting each county department to reduce its budget by 5%.

The hard question is:  Where do we reduce spending? 

CONFLICTING COUNTY PRIORITIES:

The Board of Supervisors identifies priorities and sets the County budget for all county operations, including but not limited to:

  • Road improvement
  • Law enforcement
  • Public services (addressing the homeless, veterans, transportation, senior services, parks and recreation, etc.)

THE HARD CHOICES: 

Should the County spend $400,000 on gym equipment and $460,000 on a third SWAT armored vehicle for the Sheriff’s office? 

Or should we spend those amounts for the backlog of road maintenance and road improvement?  Unfortunately, we cannot do both.

This isn’t a false choice, it’s a real, and necessary, choice.  Brian Oneto has been the common-sense voice working to protect taxpayers’ dollars, even when making the hard “No” brings dislike of his leadership and character. 

A GOOD START:

The Sheriff, this year, has committed to reduce his budget by the requested 5%, $800,000, willingly - a good start to our budget reduction needs.

All county departments are working to reduce budgets to meet the Board’s request.   

Supervisor Oneto has demonstrated his willingness to make the hard choices, seeking to balance the needs of Law Enforcement, Public Works/roads, and Social Services with our other equally important priorities. 

County Supervisors, agency heads and voters should join with Supervisor Oneto to identify the best solutions to balance the budget this year, and to put the County on solid fiscal ground for the future.

For years Supervisor Oneto has voted against many salary increases, even donating his first year’s salary for senior services.

Paid for by “Oneto for Supervisor 2026” FPPC#1489606  PO Box 95 Drytown, CA 95699

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