The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors gave final approval Wednesday to a $1.73 billion budget for the county for fiscal year 2007-2008.

The budget allocated $268 million for the health department; $235 million, plus an additional $77 million from the county's general fund, for the San Mateo Medical Center; $208 million for children, youth and family services; $271 million for criminal justice; nearly $241 million for community services including parks, public works and libraries; $91 million for administrative and fiscal services; and $333 million for non-departmental services, which benefit various departments through technology and other projects, according to the county manager's office.

The budget calls for 5,805 county employees.

The final budget increased from a July projection by about $76 million, including $13 million in new spending.

The updated budget includes $354,000 for a Sheriff's Office unit supporting plans to address overcrowding in county jails; $62,000 for veterans services; $5 million of Proposition 1B funds forrepair and maintenance of county roads; and $1.1 million for In-Home Support Services

for elderly, blind or disabled persons.

Spending in San Mateo County increased 4.6 percent from the 2006-07 fiscal year, according to the county manager's office.

— Bay City News