The County of Santa Clara starts the week with a new budget director. With a robust 18 years of local government operations and budget management experience under his belt, Ezequiel Vega officially took on the role today. His appointment was announced by County Executive James R. Williams, and Vega's task is to oversee a significant $12.5 billion budget for the current fiscal year. A recent move, as he shifts from his previous position of assistant county administrative officer and budget director for Monterey County, where he managed an annual operating budget that capped around $2 billion.

Vega's credentials include managing and developing county budgets and a knack for creating performance metrics and presenting financial information to officials and the public. His past experience will now come into play as he tackles Santa Clara's budget, a sizable amount that was balanced this year despite a $250 million deficit. According to a statement obtained by Santa Clara County News, County Executive James R. Williams expressed enthusiasm for Vega's appointment, emphasizing his extensive skill set and dedication to public service.

Facing a challenging fiscal environment for the upcoming year, Vega intends to sustain the County's financial well-being while maintaining and advancing crucial services. He has previously served as Monterey County’s assistant director of health and behavioral health, engaging in various roles, from negotiating health provider contracts to coordinating Medi-Cal service billing. His earlier roles include administrative services director for the City of Watsonville and finance director for the City of Soledad.