Auditor-Controller Executive Named New County Budget Office Director

Fred Branca, chief of the county auditor-controller’s agency accounting staff, has been chosen the county’s new budget office director.

Branca will replace Ronald S. Rubino, who resigned to take a job with a local financial consulting firm.

A county executive for more than 20 years, Branca has managed finance-related issues in the county’s Social Services and General Services agencies.

“Fred has gained significant experience in a broad range of programs and across the majority of county agencies and departments,” County Administrative Officer Ernie Schneider wrote in a memo announcing the appointment. “Fred is well-known to the county’s executive and middle-management team and has provided strong leadership and support on numerous issues.”

In his new role, which pays $99,500 a year, Branca will manage the county’s $3.5-billion budget.

In recent years, the office has been forced to deal with the unprecedented decline of local government revenue because of the sagging statewide economy, higher local unemployment, numerous municipal incorporations and state government raids on local property tax money.