In a unanimous decision, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors has locked in the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Budget at $484.5 million, marking a strategic commitment to public health, flood control, and forest restoration. The budget, set to take effect starting July 1, 2024, is a product of an intensive preparation journey, involving departmental needs forecasting and discussions with the County Manager's Office, according to details published on the county's official website.
The FY25 budget aims to smoothly navigate the choppy waters of economic unpredictability, planning for the chance to see sales tax revenue take unexpected turns. With fiscal prudence in the spotlight, Coconino County ensures adherence to state-mandated Constitutional Expenditure Limitations while pushing forward capital improvement endeavors supported by the local electorate via the Road Maintenance Sales Tax.
Residents can expect a minutely reduced primary property tax rate, alongside unchanged rates for essential services managed by the Flood Control District and Public Health Services District. On the library front, to stave off potential service cuts, the Board is proposing a tax levy uptick for the Library District - a slight increase from $0.2756 to $0.2956 per $100 of assessed value, as reported in the county's announcement.
The supervisors are not just balancing books but attempting to balance community needs against the backdrop of a fraught economic landscape. Investments in local projects are set to harness the power of federal and state funds, strengthening the county's response to natural disasters and public infrastructure needs. Chair of the Board and District 4 Supervisor, Judy Begay, expressed gratitude towards the administration and staff "for their tireless efforts to bring us a balanced budget that remains compliant with our expenditure limit and takes into account fluctuations in our economy while maintaining our level of service to the community," as mentioned on the county's agenda page.
With the proposed primary and secondary tax rates slated for final approval on August 13, 2024, residents of Coconino County have an opportunity to scrutinize the details of the FY25 budget online, as the June 25 meeting presentation remains available for review on the county's website.
