Orange County released its proposed budget May 19 for the 2021-2022 fiscal year as it looks to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. “What was initially presented to us is a solid budget, one that we can work with without having to worry about substantial cuts,” Supervisor Don Wagner told The Epoch Times. “I’m optimistic that we’re going to be able to continue providing the services that the people in Orange County deserve and have come to expect.” The county’s base budget totals $7.7 billion, including $4.1 billion in general funds. It’s a slight increase from the last fiscal year’s $7.5 billion budget. Orange County’s finances will be bolstered by more than $1 billion in federal funding through the American Rescue Plan Act, which Wagner said would “help us through what I hope are the end stages of COVID.” The county is expected to receive an additional $308 million in fiscal year 2020-2021 and $308 million in …