Sonoma County sets five budget hearings

<p>Sonoma County will kick off a series of budget hearings next week aimed at resolving an estimated $11 million gap in next fiscal year’s budget.</p><p>Sessions will be held on five consecutive Thursday evenings, beginning April 9, and will be conducted in each of the five supervisorial districts.</p><p>“Public input is vital during these tough economic times,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Paul Kelley. “We are asking people to come out and take part in the process as we make these difficult decisions.”</p><p>Last month, supervisors made across-the-board cuts of about $10.4 million. In May, they are scheduled to consider reductions in specific programs, using input gained from this month’s budget workshops.</p><p>Here’s the schedule of workshops:</p><p>April 9: Guerneville Veterans Memorial Building.</p><p>April 16: Healdsburg City Hall.</p><p>April 23: Sonoma County Human Service Department, 2227 Capricorn Way.</p><p>April 30: Petaluma Veterans Memorial Building.</p><p>May 7: Rohnert Park Library.</p><p>All sessions will be from 6 to 8 p.m.</p>