(09:30) SANTA CRUZ – The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors has approved the 2015/16 budget. The budget has some increases in funding but overall is similar to the past few years. The general fund has gone up by almost 3 percent from last year. Sheriff Jim Hart will hire three new deputies, a sergeant, a deputy sheriff, and four part time correctional officers. Several new grants will also increase the funding for the Center for Public Safety, and the Rountree Detention Center and Juvenile Hall. The supervisors are hoping to plan for future decreases in funding, and creating a fund that they plan to add $10 million over the next 10 years. This year they are adding $3.5 million. The Health services Agency will be losing almost 3.5 million. (M.K.)
