New “Budget 101” Guide Released Ahead of Community Budget Workshops

Ever wondered where your tax dollars go or how the County of Riverside funds the services that keep our communities running? A new guide, “Budget 101: The County Budget Explained,” is here to demystify the county’s budget and break it down in a way that is clear, simple and relevant to everyday life. Whether it’s housing, healthcare, roads, or emergency support, these services are funded by tax dollars allocated through the county’s annual budget. Yet, understanding how that budget is created, where the revenue comes from and where that money goes can be complex and confusing. The Budget 101 guide will help residents see the full picture.

“We created the Budget 101 guide to make our budget process easier to understand and more inclusive,” said Riverside County Executive Officer Jeff Van Wagenen. “When residents are informed, they’re empowered to participate—and that leads to better policy decisions and stronger communities. I hope you find this guide useful in explaining where public dollars go.”

The guide offers an easy-to-follow overview and explains how the budget impacts the programs and services people rely on every day. This new document, along with community workshops and surveys, are a result of the Board of Supervisors’ efforts to engage more residents to provide feedback on community needs and priorities.

The Budget 101 guide is being released alongside a series of community budget workshops taking place throughout Riverside County. These workshops are an opportunity for residents to learn more about the county’s budget process, ask questions and share their priorities directly with county leaders. The guide will be used as a resource during these sessions to help break down complex information and make the conversation more accessible. Find an upcoming community budget workshop near you at www.RivCo.org/budget.

The Budget 101 guide is available online at www.RivCo.org/budget in both English and Spanish. There will be a limited supply of hard copies at the in-person community budget workshops.

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