The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors gave final approval to a $36.1 billion county budget that places a strong emphasis on critical issues affecting the county’s residents, Supervisor Kathryn Barger announced Tuesday afternoon.

“In addition to a $600 million Rainy Day fund, which will be held in reserves for the next economic downturn, our county CEO has presented a balanced and fiscally-responsible budget that provides needed services to our residents and prioritizes child welfare, public safety and homeless services,” Barger said in a statement.

“Public safety is a top priority and funding for Sheriff’s Department recruitment will enable more deputies to be on patrol in our communities,” she said.

“To improve the protection of children in our care, particularly in the Antelope Valley, we are implementing Continuous Quality Improvement Teams and adding vital resources to improve services in the Palmdale and Lancaster offices of the Department of Children Services,” Barger said. “This investment will improve child safety in the Antelope Valley and countywide.

“Additionally, we allocated $7.6 million to provide transportation for foster youth who want to remain at their school,” she said.

“I am pleased that we are adding $12.5 million for mental health care resources where we need it the most – to develop and enhance services in our schools,” Barger said. “We allocated $72 million in Measure H funding to enhance services to the homeless population, including housing for our Transition Age Youth.”

A copy of the LA County 2019 final budget an be found here.