Riverside County’s Budget Faces Big Trouble

Riverside County’s budget is facing serious challenges right now.

Not only is the county potentially going to have to pay $40 million a year due to a lawsuit settlement, but there is also speculation that its $239 million in savings could become depleted in the next couple of years.

From realignment costs to projected shortfalls in its public safety departments, cost issues are plaguing the county, even after some of its departments have already seen budgets cut by 45 percent.

On the bright side, Riverside’s annual payments to CalPERS look to be on the decline soon, as more and more public employees begin collecting lower pension benefits.