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Govern Episode 8 - What’s in a Budget?
In this episode of Govern, Curt Hagman sits down with Matthew Erickson, Chief Financial
Officer for San Bernardino County, to unpack one of the most critical and often misunderstood
functions of local government: the county budget.
From how public dollars are planned and allocated to why not all money can be spent the same
way, this conversation breaks down what the budget really represents: community priorities,
policy decisions, and long-term stewardship of taxpayer resources.
Whether you’ve ever wondered where county funding comes from, how spending decisions are
made, or why transparency in budgeting matters, this episode offers a clear, behind-the-scenes
look at how county finance impacts residents every day.
Transcript - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1onqdptsNffKCfQTqj34KCFwcUxRJ6IYx0Mz5FGaNem8/edit?usp=sharing
Episode topics include:
● What the County Finance Department does and how it supports county operations
● How the county budget is built from start to finish
● What a “balanced budget” means in local government
● How departments collaborate during the budget process
● Public input, transparency, and accountability in county finance
● Understanding the “color of money” and funding restrictions
● How economic shifts and unexpected events affect budgeting decisions
● How funding is allocated for complex issues like homelessness
● Leadership, culture, and decision-making in high-stakes financial roles
● Why residents should care about how the county budget works
Episode Resources:
● Finance Department: https://main.sbcounty.gov/about-cao/finance/
Stay Connected with Curt:
● Website: https://bosd4.sbcounty.gov/
● Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/supervisorcurthagman
● Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/supervisorcurthagman/
● X: https://x.com/curthagman
● LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/curt-hagman/
● Newsletter:
https://service.govdelivery.com/accounts/CASANBE/subscriber/new?topic_id=CASANBE_10
View all episodes
By Curt HagmanIn this episode of Govern, Curt Hagman sits down with Matthew Erickson, Chief Financial
Officer for San Bernardino County, to unpack one of the most critical and often misunderstood
functions of local government: the county budget.
From how public dollars are planned and allocated to why not all money can be spent the same
way, this conversation breaks down what the budget really represents: community priorities,
policy decisions, and long-term stewardship of taxpayer resources.
Whether you’ve ever wondered where county funding comes from, how spending decisions are
made, or why transparency in budgeting matters, this episode offers a clear, behind-the-scenes
look at how county finance impacts residents every day.
Transcript - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1onqdptsNffKCfQTqj34KCFwcUxRJ6IYx0Mz5FGaNem8/edit?usp=sharing
Episode topics include:
● What the County Finance Department does and how it supports county operations
● How the county budget is built from start to finish
● What a “balanced budget” means in local government
● How departments collaborate during the budget process
● Public input, transparency, and accountability in county finance
● Understanding the “color of money” and funding restrictions
● How economic shifts and unexpected events affect budgeting decisions
● How funding is allocated for complex issues like homelessness
● Leadership, culture, and decision-making in high-stakes financial roles
● Why residents should care about how the county budget works
Episode Resources:
● Finance Department: https://main.sbcounty.gov/about-cao/finance/
Stay Connected with Curt:
● Website: https://bosd4.sbcounty.gov/
● Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/supervisorcurthagman
● Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/supervisorcurthagman/
● X: https://x.com/curthagman
● LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/curt-hagman/
● Newsletter:
https://service.govdelivery.com/accounts/CASANBE/subscriber/new?topic_id=CASANBE_10