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Contra Costa County – Government Finance

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Government finances play a pivotal role in shaping the local economy, influencing economic growth, stability, and the overall well-being of communities. The impact of government finances on the local economy can be analyzed through several key mechanisms, including public spending, taxation, debt management, and fiscal policies. These elements collectively determine the flow of resources, the level of economic activity, and the quality of life for residents.

  1. Public Spending and Investment One of the most direct ways government finances affect the local economy is through public spending. Governments allocate funds to infrastructure projects, education, healthcare, public safety, and social services. These investments create jobs, stimulate demand for goods and services, and enhance the productivity of the local workforce. For instance, building roads, bridges, and public transportation systems not only provides immediate employment opportunities but also improves connectivity, reducing transportation costs for businesses and facilitating trade. Similarly, investments in education and healthcare contribute to a skilled and healthy workforce, which is essential for long-term economic growth.

  2. Taxation Policies Taxation is another critical component of government finances that impacts the local economy. Taxes fund public services and infrastructure, but they also influence the behavior of individuals and businesses. High tax rates can discourage investment and consumption, potentially stifling economic growth. Conversely, low tax rates may attract businesses and stimulate spending but can lead to budget deficits if not managed properly. Progressive taxation, where higher-income individuals pay a larger share, can reduce income inequality and increase disposable income for lower-income households, boosting local demand for goods and services.

  3. Debt Management Government borrowing and debt management also have significant implications for the local economy. When governments borrow to finance deficits or invest in long-term projects, they can stimulate economic activity in the short term. However, excessive debt can lead to higher interest rates, crowding out private investment, and increasing the risk of financial instability. Effective debt management ensures that borrowing is sustainable and that funds are used efficiently to generate economic returns.

  4. Fiscal Policies Fiscal policies, including government spending and taxation, are tools used to manage economic cycles. During economic downturns, expansionary fiscal policies, such as increased spending and tax cuts, can stimulate demand and help the economy recover. Conversely, during periods of high inflation, contractionary fiscal policies, such as reduced spending and higher taxes, can help cool down the economy. The timing and effectiveness of these policies are crucial in stabilizing the local economy and maintaining public confidence.

  5. Social and Economic Equity Government finances also play a role in promoting social and economic equity. Redistributive policies, such as social welfare programs and subsidies, can reduce poverty and inequality, leading to a more inclusive economy. By providing a safety net for vulnerable populations, governments can ensure that all residents have access to basic needs, which in turn supports overall economic stability and growth.

  6. Conclusion In summary, government finances have a profound impact on the local economy through public spending, taxation, debt management, and fiscal policies. Effective management of these financial tools can stimulate economic growth, reduce inequality, and enhance the quality of life for residents. Conversely, poor financial management can lead to economic instability, reduced investment, and social unrest. Therefore, it is essential for governments to adopt prudent fiscal policies and ensure that financial resources are allocated efficiently and equitably to support sustainable economic development.

A key indicator for comparison is how much government collects, spends and and establishes debt for each resident under its perview.

The revenue per resident at the local level is:

8,997.45

The expenses per resident at the local level is:

7,943.4

The outstanding debt per resident at the local level is:

5,996.08

 
Contra CostaCaliforniaNational



LocalLocalLocalLocalStateState
PerContri-PerContri-PerContri-
LocalPer CentStatePer CentCapitabutionNationalPer CentCapitabutionCapitabution
Description(,000's)Per Capitato Total(,000's)Per Capitato TotalIndexIndex(,000's)Per Capitato TotalIndexIndexIndexIndex

Revenue10,515,8308,997.45100.00415,727,70510,464.59100.000.861.002,344,548,4806,947.35100.001.301.001.511.00

  General revenue10,103,8708,644.9796.08379,292,3239,547.4591.240.911.052,168,968,4006,427.0792.511.351.041.490.99

    Intergovernmental revenue3,116,1862,666.2429.63171,171,6284,308.6941.170.620.72808,559,1482,395.9234.491.110.861.801.19
      From Federal government287,325245.842.7329,304,968737.667.050.330.39146,274,793433.446.240.570.441.701.13
      From State government2,828,8612,420.4026.90141,866,6603,571.0334.120.680.79662,284,3551,962.4828.251.230.951.821.21
      From local government00.000.0000.000.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00

    General revenue from own sources6,987,6845,978.7366.45208,120,6955,238.7650.061.141.331,360,409,2524,031.1558.021.481.151.300.86
      Taxes3,614,6793,092.7534.37120,629,1743,036.4529.021.021.18894,124,7052,649.4638.141.170.901.150.76
        Property2,698,7702,309.0925.6680,438,7142,024.7819.351.141.33627,434,2421,859.2126.761.240.961.090.72
        Sales & gross receipts613,464524.895.8328,631,750720.716.890.730.85165,801,503491.307.071.070.821.470.97
          General sales472,968404.684.5021,504,815541.315.170.750.87125,994,306373.355.371.080.841.450.96
          Selective sales140,496120.211.347,126,935179.401.710.670.7839,807,197117.961.701.020.791.521.01
            Motor fuel sales00.000.0000.000.000.000.001,892,6875.610.080.000.000.000.00
            Alcoholic beverage sales00.000.0000.000.000.000.00845,0352.500.040.000.000.000.00
            Tobacco product sales00.000.0000.000.000.000.00318,8170.940.010.000.000.000.00
            Public utilities125,799107.631.203,826,69496.320.921.121.3015,744,64746.650.672.311.782.061.37
            Other selective sales14,69712.570.143,300,24183.070.790.150.1821,006,01162.240.900.200.161.330.89
        Individual income tax00.000.0000.000.000.000.0044,730,192132.541.910.000.000.000.00
        Corporate income tax00.000.0000.000.000.000.0011,009,92732.620.470.000.000.000.00
        Motor vehicle license00.000.0058,2351.470.010.000.002,263,6136.710.100.000.000.220.15
        Other taxes302,445258.772.8811,500,475289.492.770.891.0442,885,228127.081.832.041.572.281.51

      Charges & misc general revenue3,373,0052,885.9832.0887,491,5212,202.3121.051.311.52466,284,5471,381.6919.892.091.611.591.06
        Current charges3,007,8182,573.5228.6071,747,5861,806.0117.261.421.66365,048,3361,081.7115.572.381.841.671.11
          Education42,21136.120.401,811,78645.610.440.790.9219,143,89456.730.820.640.490.800.53
            Institution of higher education30,80126.350.29919,16323.140.221.141.327,681,25722.760.331.160.891.020.67
            School lunch sales (gross)3150.270.0049,2381.240.010.220.251,566,4414.640.070.060.040.270.18
          Hospitals1,870,8061,600.6817.7921,959,512552.765.282.903.37124,953,811370.265.334.323.341.490.99
          Highways4,1963.590.041,106,44927.850.270.130.1510,287,28930.480.440.120.090.910.61
          Air transportation (airports)5,4744.680.054,298,517108.201.030.040.0522,414,40266.420.960.070.051.631.08
          Parking facilities8,1096.940.08593,79614.950.140.460.542,924,3498.670.120.800.621.721.15
          Sea and inland port facilities12,11310.360.121,886,37747.480.450.220.254,760,82614.110.200.730.573.372.23
          Natural resources9,1637.840.09715,26818.000.170.440.512,531,1967.500.111.050.812.401.59
          Parks and recreation36,40531.150.351,412,41035.550.340.881.029,708,20828.770.411.080.841.240.82
          Housing and comm development5,0774.340.051,093,40027.520.260.160.187,308,73521.660.310.200.151.270.84
          Sewerage375,614321.383.5710,346,881260.452.491.231.4468,695,647203.562.931.581.221.280.85
          Solid waste management49,06841.980.473,897,83898.120.940.430.5021,694,93864.290.930.650.501.531.01
          Other charges589,582504.455.6122,625,352569.525.440.891.0370,625,041209.283.012.411.862.721.81

        Miscellaneous general revenue365,187312.463.4715,743,935396.303.790.790.92101,236,211299.984.321.040.801.320.88
          Interest earnings28,38124.280.271,370,97934.510.330.700.8210,227,01630.300.440.800.621.140.76
          Special assessments82,97370.990.793,831,25196.440.920.740.8615,026,42544.530.641.591.232.171.44
          Sale of property1,4441.240.01490,28812.340.120.100.123,784,73711.210.160.110.091.100.73
          Other general revenue252,389215.952.4010,051,417253.012.420.850.9972,198,033213.943.081.010.781.180.79

  Utility revenue411,960352.483.9236,435,382917.148.760.380.45173,592,043514.397.400.690.531.781.18
    Water supply329,926282.293.1418,952,389477.064.560.590.6980,167,107237.553.421.190.922.011.33
    Electric power9,4718.100.0915,108,961380.323.630.020.0278,135,733231.533.330.030.031.641.09
    Gas supply64,55355.230.61398,80810.040.105.506.407,630,12322.610.332.441.890.440.29
    Transit8,0106.850.081,975,22449.720.480.140.167,659,08022.700.330.300.232.191.45

  Liquor store revenue00.000.0000.000.000.000.001,988,0375.890.080.000.000.000.00

  Insurance trust revenue00.000.0000.000.000.000.00162,8580.480.010.000.000.000.00
    Unemployment compensation00.000.0000.000.000.000.00162,8580.480.010.000.000.000.00
    Employee retirement00.000.0000.000.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00
    Workers' compensation00.000.0000.000.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00
    Other insurance trust revenue00.000.0000.000.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00

Expenditure9,283,9057,943.40100.00397,412,50110,003.56100.000.791.002,254,418,5176,680.28100.001.191.001.501.00

  Intergovernmental expenditure00.000.0000.000.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00
  Direct expenditure9,283,9057,943.40100.00397,412,50110,003.56100.000.791.002,254,418,5176,680.28100.001.191.001.501.00
    Current operation8,275,4347,080.5489.14339,502,0138,545.8585.430.831.041,887,390,8875,592.7083.721.271.061.531.02
    Capital outlay716,273612.857.7243,035,7171,083.2810.830.570.71284,581,195843.2712.620.730.611.280.86
      Construction716,273612.857.7243,035,7171,083.2810.830.570.71284,581,195843.2712.620.730.611.280.86
    Assistance and subsidies26,85822.980.291,107,53627.880.280.821.042,376,9447.040.113.262.743.962.64
    Interest on debt265,340227.032.8613,767,235346.553.460.660.8380,069,491237.263.550.960.801.460.98
    Insurance benefits and repayments00.000.0000.000.000.000.0039,9940.120.000.000.000.000.00
    Exhibit: salaries & wages1,299,1601,111.5713.9950,334,3911,267.0012.670.881.10525,546,0041,557.2923.310.710.600.810.54

  Direct expenditure by function9,283,9057,943.40100.00397,412,50110,003.56100.000.791.002,254,418,5176,680.28100.001.191.001.501.00
    Direct general expenditure8,794,3297,524.5194.73344,686,2228,676.3586.730.871.092,024,660,7925,999.4689.811.251.051.450.97
      Capital outlay612,717524.256.6031,232,843786.187.860.670.84233,677,777692.4310.370.760.641.140.76


Education services:
      Other direct general expenditure8,181,6127,000.2788.13313,453,3797,890.1778.870.891.121,790,983,0155,307.0379.441.321.111.490.99
      Education3,051,0102,610.4732.86123,638,2003,112.1931.110.841.06862,837,2522,556.7538.271.020.861.220.81
          Capital outlay250,841214.622.7012,250,902308.383.080.700.8889,314,081264.653.960.810.681.170.78
        Higher education344,502294.763.7113,341,749335.833.360.881.1146,067,730136.512.042.161.822.461.64
          Capital outlay56,64748.470.611,920,06048.330.481.001.265,394,84215.990.243.032.553.022.02
        Elementary & Secondary education2,679,6502,292.7328.86109,188,9152,748.4727.470.831.05814,392,5782,413.2036.120.950.801.140.76
          Capital outlay194,194166.152.0910,330,842260.052.600.640.8083,919,239248.673.720.670.561.050.70
        Other education26,85822.980.291,107,53627.880.280.821.042,376,9447.040.113.262.743.962.64
      Libraries38,97333.350.421,910,63448.090.480.690.8713,625,82240.380.600.830.691.190.80


Social services and income maintenance:
      Public welfare443,827379.744.7821,922,849551.845.520.690.8767,699,317200.613.001.891.592.751.84
        Other public welfare443,827379.744.7821,922,849551.845.520.690.8767,699,317200.613.001.891.592.751.84
      Hospitals1,661,3561,421.4717.9018,647,588469.394.693.033.81141,312,054418.736.273.392.851.120.75
        Capital outlay00.000.00100,7452.540.030.000.006,546,84619.400.290.000.000.130.09
      Health319,837273.663.4533,019,396831.168.310.330.4177,108,561228.493.421.201.013.642.43
      Social insurance administration00.000.0000.000.000.000.0035,9470.110.000.000.000.000.00
      Veterans' services00.000.0000.000.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00

Transportaion:
      Highways301,004257.543.2412,709,265319.913.200.811.0182,616,882244.813.661.050.881.310.87
        Capital outlay90,41377.360.974,494,247113.131.130.680.8630,060,50189.081.330.870.731.270.85
      Air transportation (airports)4,2193.610.054,187,897105.421.050.030.0428,556,24984.621.270.040.041.250.83
      Parking facilities6,6475.690.07492,51212.400.120.460.582,108,1706.250.090.910.771.981.33
      Sea and inland port facilities2,2211.900.021,000,59725.190.250.080.104,034,90811.960.180.160.132.111.41

Public safety:
      Police protection543,493465.025.8521,902,409551.325.510.841.06119,298,947353.515.291.321.111.561.04
      Fire protection438,321375.034.7211,274,931283.812.841.321.6664,033,823189.742.841.981.661.501.00
      Correction155,704133.221.686,999,094176.181.760.760.9532,595,24396.591.451.381.161.821.22
        Capital outlay8060.690.0189,6942.260.020.310.38915,2972.710.040.250.210.830.56
      Protective inspection & regulation45,35638.810.491,946,59549.000.490.791.007,062,87020.930.311.851.562.341.56

Environment and housing:
      Natural resources61,90552.970.671,987,67150.030.501.061.3313,342,66139.540.591.341.131.270.85
        Capital outlay5430.460.01317,5657.990.080.060.074,485,96313.290.200.030.030.600.40
      Parks and recreation151,306129.461.637,146,271179.881.800.720.9143,717,263129.541.941.000.841.390.93
        Capital outlay26,73722.880.291,377,27034.670.350.660.8310,096,60129.920.450.760.641.160.77
      Housing and comm development58,05049.670.6311,307,938284.642.850.170.2258,336,344172.862.590.290.241.651.10
      Sewerage335,311286.903.619,661,509243.202.431.181.4968,504,527202.993.041.411.191.200.80
        Capital outlay107,51691.991.163,340,40284.080.841.091.3823,319,98269.101.031.331.121.220.81
      Solid waste management27,19923.270.293,770,09194.900.950.250.3128,653,83084.911.270.270.231.120.75
        Capital outlay70.010.0025,3130.640.010.010.011,863,1165.520.080.000.000.120.08

Governmental administration:
      Financial administration44,98238.490.482,376,74459.830.600.640.8123,707,42470.251.050.550.460.850.57
      Judicial and legal77,11465.980.834,659,749117.291.170.560.7127,887,73782.641.240.800.671.420.95
      General public buildings43,19136.950.47836,71021.060.211.752.2113,643,40540.430.610.910.770.520.35
      Other governmental administration295,558252.883.189,298,798234.072.341.081.3637,267,357110.431.652.291.932.121.42
      Interest on general debt247,036211.372.6610,942,612275.442.750.770.9766,807,524197.962.961.070.901.390.93

General expenditures, n.e.c.:
      Misc commercial activities2,5482.180.031,109,20427.920.280.080.102,707,8798.020.120.270.233.482.32
      Other and unallocable438,161374.894.7221,936,958552.195.520.680.86137,158,796406.436.080.920.781.360.91

Utility expenditures:
    Utility expenditure489,576418.895.2752,726,2791,327.2113.270.320.40228,078,201675.8410.120.620.521.961.31
        Capital outlay103,55688.601.1211,802,874297.102.970.300.3850,897,505150.822.260.590.491.971.32
      Water supply322,828276.213.4819,906,326501.085.010.550.6982,479,587244.403.661.130.952.051.37
      Electric power8,5067.280.0913,422,594337.873.380.020.0373,696,368218.383.270.030.031.551.03
      Gas supply65,82256.320.71375,6519.460.095.967.507,182,24421.280.322.652.230.440.30
      Transit92,42079.081.0019,021,708478.814.790.170.2164,720,002191.782.870.410.352.501.67

Liquor store expenditures:
    Liquor store expenditure00.000.0000.000.000.000.001,679,5244.980.070.000.000.000.00

Insurance trust expenditures:
    Insurance trust expenditure00.000.0000.000.000.000.0039,9940.120.000.000.000.000.00
      Unemployment compensation00.000.0000.000.000.000.0039,9940.120.000.000.000.000.00
      Employee retirement00.000.0000.000.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00
      Workers' compensation00.000.0000.000.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00
      Other insurance trust00.000.0000.000.000.000.0000.000.000.000.000.000.00

Debt outstanding7,007,9635,996.08100.00399,089,08810,045.76100.000.601.002,042,775,1706,053.14100.000.991.001.661.00

  Short-term debt outstanding00.000.001,052,62226.500.260.000.0028,356,92884.031.390.000.000.320.19
  Long-term debt outstanding7,007,9635,996.08100.00398,036,46610,019.2799.740.601.002,014,418,2425,969.1198.611.001.011.681.01

Long-term debt issued1,125,112NANA51,131,067NANANANA264,717,314NANANANANANA
Long-term debt retired1,033,362NANA41,971,776NANANANA218,916,559NANANANANANA


Sources: STI: PopStats and STI: Colossus