California Code, Elections Code - ELEC § 16503

The contestant shall, in the first instance, be liable for the expenses involved in making any recount.  He or she shall pay into court in advance each day a sum that the judge finds sufficient to pay all recount expenses that will have accrued by the end of that day.  The sums paid shall be part of the costs.  The elections official may pay each day the clerical assistants necessary for the recount from the amount advanced by the contestant without the necessity of the funds being first deposited with the county treasurer.