20260609 Special Meeting Adopt Tentative Budget

The Cochise County Board of Supervisors held a special meeting on June 9, 2026, to discuss and adopt the tentative budget for fiscal year 2026-2027. The meeting focused extensively on budget projections, including a 2% increase in property tax levy primarily due to inflation rather than business growth, and a 4% inflationary increase in the Highway User Revenue Fund (HERF). The board discussed challenges related to unfunded pension liabilities, expenditure limits, and the need for additional revenue sources to maintain county services and infrastructure, particularly road maintenance. Funding requests from various departments, including partial county funding for a Sheriff's Office grant previously supported by external grants, were reviewed. The board also addressed the timing for adopting final budgets and tax rates, with plans for further meetings in July and August. Economic development initiatives were highlighted as critical to increasing revenue and potentially reducing residential property tax burdens in the future. The tentative budget was approved by a 2-1 vote, with ongoing concerns about balancing tax rates and service levels. No specific contract awards or procurement actions were detailed in this meeting.