The county's multibillion-dollar budget – How it works

Imagine trying to put together a budget for nearly 3.3 million people in a region about the size of Connecticut.

It's a big project and county staff has been working on it for months. They're now putting the final touches on a balanced, recommended budget for the new fiscal year that starts July 1.

The numbers will be released May 2. Last year, the overall budget was $8.17 billion.

How does this affect you? If you go out to eat, visit the beach, own a home or vote then the county budget affects you. And that's not all.

The county provides food and restaurant inspections, inspects beach and bay...