The Riverside County Board of Supervisors is expected to approve a provisional budget today for the 2025-26 fiscal year, which includes a proposed targeted hiring freeze across county government. The measure is intended to control rising payroll costs, which currently make up about half of the county’s total budget.County CEO Jeff Van Wagenen said the strategy mirrors a similar move made in 2016-17, which saved the county the equivalent of $40 to $50 million in today’s dollars. Van Wagenen emphasized the importance of proactive financial planning as payroll remains one of the most significant expenditures.The freeze would not be across the board. Departments considered essential to public safety and health—including the sheriff’s department, the district attorney’s office, Riverside University Health System, and Animal Services—are expected to be exempt from the hiring pause.Riverside County employs over 25,000 people across various departments, both on a regular and rotating…..