Madeline Murray
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – The budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year was presented to the Yuma County Board of Supervisors Monday morning.
Yuma County Administrator Ian McGaughey explains how this new budget will provide long term stability in our County
“We will maintain strong viability in the future with this modest rate increase, but also because of the efficiencies, we’re holding the line on no new cumulative FTE’s no new employees net over all, and that’s big…That’s the second year we’ve recommended that, so keeping out expenses low and in line is just as important as making sure our revenue are strong, and thats a balanced conservative approach to physical responsibility,” says McGaughey.
Yuma County Supervisor Jonathan Lines explains how the County tries to minimize property taxes when creating a budget.
“We have asked each and every department to do more with less, to be creative in the ways they approach in some of their challenges so instead of hiring people what can the existing staff do to meet that gap,” says Lines.
McGaughey says the recommended budget is a conservative responsible budget that looks at the long term viability of our county.
“This budget touches every aspect of county government…it talks about services we provide to residents who live in the county, whether they live in the city, town, outside the city, or outside the city jurisdictions, it provides responsible customer service, and great service to all of our community,” he explained.
The budget proposed this year totals $535 million. That money will help the county focus on long-term financial stability, strategic investments, and maintaining essential services for residents.
County departments were able to speak to the board about their own budgets and concerns before the final budget is approved for adoption.
“It’s a one on one or one on five conversation and people have the opportunity between now and the time that it’s adopted to come back and have that conversation with the board,” says Lines.
This year’s budget includes a property tax increase of 2.42 cents, funds capital projects like expanded IT’s facilities management building, the completion of the sheriff’s office Foothills substation, and work on the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Building.
The budget also includes a 3% performance based raise to help recruit and retain employees.
McGaughey explains, “This budget is a continuation of what the board wants to see, physically responsible and conservative, making sure that community services are maintained to the highest level of service, without an undo burden on the tax payer.”
The public is encouraged to attend budget meetings to input their thoughts.
The board is scheduled to adopt the tentative budget on June 1, with final budget adoption on June 22.
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