[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6160616,"mediaKeyId","5450243-6fe7bb282d95198aa5f162ed5c5e4e08","parentId",5450243,"title","Board adopts Greenlee County fiscal 2025–2026 final budget, holds primary property tax rate steady","audioSeconds",2351,"startMs",3239000,"endMs",5590000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5450243-6fe7bb282d95198aa5f162ed5c5e4e08&start=3239&end=5590","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5450243-6fe7bb282d95198aa5f162ed5c5e4e08/thumbnail_3239000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6160616/Greenlee-County/Arizona/Board-adopts-Greenlee-County-fiscal-20252026-final-budget-holds-primary-property-tax-rate-steady","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6160616-79cfc263c808e22f3f83a60c8a6698f5/orig.mp4?Expires=1775563121&Signature=FK83mQXDoUvGEGwtjcIew61W4~4MJXhHTmLLuvOMrHpBVsUgnzXv1pm8jtg~IH-Y9k2kZqD7PDpDE5KKArC5WpNIWB4yq0-Dokl57gg9QdEBllwKYiuuZwVsTR59LpbcseZNEqSsGXs4qteRP1spFRpgsyk5wrFe2enJYF3rGAFONIyDpJuEljwr9NvDJXWDy6wKEk8dA5FLst527A7xmJ28X1C-z6-8tJ-WqDKJ3Vuz9Lxis8-6nUeT--Er-2UNl2EBoNCo~0B~NRMzMhkLFsQGDuxtrpunveTdcHZ4584jHi9xcbJegb~tVhfBBRYg4r0lBAf-vRBkna98QARBkA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Greenlee County, AZ","date","2025-07-23T04:48:33Z","article","Following the statutorily required public hearing under ARS 41‑17104, the Greenlee County Board of Supervisors adopted the fiscal year 2025–2026 final budget and set related tax rates.

County staff opened the public hearing on the published proposed final budget and reported no members of the public wished to comment. The county manager and finance staff then summarized the budget highlights: across‑the‑board 3% raises for employees, continued prioritization of federally funded capital projects, a $400,000 placeholder for potential grants during the fiscal year and a capital improvement plan that will draw on both federal project funds and county capital reserves. Staff reported that, overall, sales tax revenues had exceeded the year’s projections and that a deep line‑item review reduced structural spending assumptions.

After the hearing, the board took several motions in sequence. It set the fiscal‑year 2025–2026 primary property tax rate at 0.8036 per $100 of assessed value; set the Public Health Services District tax rate at 0.25 per $100 and the Flood Control District rate at 0.24 per $100. The board then moved and passed a consolidated motion to adopt the budget figures and related resolutions. The motion recorded the following budget numbers as adopted: general fund $22,134,729 and total budget $41,569,789. The flood control budget was recorded as $569,931 and the Public Health Services District budget as $2,742,588.

Staff noted specific policy points adopted with the budget: a capital improvement plan, an unassigned fund balance (reserve) policy to maintain a multi‑month cash cushion, and a PSPRS (public safety personnel retirement system) pension‑funding amortization policy to address a small unfunded liability over a 20‑year schedule. Finance staff described health‑care cost increases and pension funding levels, and reiterated the board’s emphasis on living within available revenues rather than increasing property taxes.

The board approved the set of tax‑rate and budget motions by voice votes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Supervisors Meeting - July 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","After a public hearing, the Board adopted the fiscal year 2025–2026 final budget, set the primary property tax rate at 0.8036 per $100 of assessed value, and approved related rates for the public health services district and flood control district; the budget totals were announced in the motion.","taxTitle","Greenlee County, Arizona","taxId",27862,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6160621,"Board awards $85,850 bid to Peterson Landscaping for Loma Linda ballfield sod and sprinkler work",237,2975000,3212000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5450243-6fe7bb282d95198aa5f162ed5c5e4e08&start=2975&end=3212","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5450243-6fe7bb282d95198aa5f162ed5c5e4e08/thumbnail_2975000.jpg","/articles/6160621/Greenlee-County/Arizona/Board-awards-85850-bid-to-Peterson-Landscaping-for-Loma-Linda-ballfield-sod-and-sprinkler-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6160621-0ebfa950fb2ffad3d00771ea56498902/orig.mp4?Expires=1775563121&Signature=SaMxe-Q6Cg--eB-ctt6lVo5sKq7elYIBg5CTVuBJmM6sJ2KWmDyXpAmbLFtbYaydvArZqF6KGFxY4tLmUxyaW8Z0qt3yxRkJSzuQ6Ez5dhOf2szIMkR7DXAfu78kcGRzoo2Itk0gg2r~Vg5XASJ0OPGB-3dY7LhtxB-EQjzBFJcrbMk1trcXbeC5EmnrvYAQHxvpVVWsJzrDVMGzEnU8KTZQCi1OSY3mMFiRWidk9ZP6iD28EwHggZPF-X70VCkEOdUUwPFYT1r62xrDAUSYJp3GBHNuEuZKDm-v18-JYl-292Z2Y5jte34BjmvKodB2e4VpoqQlcsH4rpLYev7HZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tony Hines, facilities and fleet manager, recommended the Board of Supervisors award a bid for sod installation at Loma Linda Park ball field to Peterson Landscaping. Hines said Peterson is currently installing the sprinkler system and returned the sole sod quote. Hines recommended using mid‑iron sod rather than Tifway for the practice field because mid‑iron requires less water and maintenance and is more durable for practice use.

Hines described the scope: grading and prep, 500 cubic yards of compost to mitigate caliche in the soil, and sod installation. He reported a per‑unit line of \"$58.05\" in the vendor response but did not specify the unit in the transcript; the total contract price for the work is $85,850. Hines said that Peterson Landscaping had offered to provide maintenance training and could provide a twice‑weekly maintenance service by quote.

Dr. Randy Norton, director of the University of Arizona experimental farm in Safford, was contacted and also recommended mid‑iron for durability and lower water needs; he offered to visit and advise the county on maintenance and timing. Supervisors asked for contractor training and maintenance assistance; Hines said the contractor would provide guidance on sprinkler timing and care.

A motion to award the bid to Peterson Landscaping for $85,850 was made, seconded and carried by voice vote.","The Board awarded a bid to Peterson Landscaping for $85,850 to install compost and mid‑iron sod at Loma Linda Park’s ball field, after staff recommended mid‑iron turf for lower water and maintenance needs; Dr. Randy Norton of the University of Arizona offered to consult.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6160626,"Fair director urges surrender of county liquor license; board votes to discontinue and seek third‑party vendors",800,2156000,2956000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5450243-6fe7bb282d95198aa5f162ed5c5e4e08&start=2156&end=2956","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5450243-6fe7bb282d95198aa5f162ed5c5e4e08/thumbnail_2156000.jpg","/articles/6160626/Greenlee-County/Arizona/Fair-director-urges-surrender-of-county-liquor-license-board-votes-to-discontinue-and-seek-thirdparty-vendors","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6160626-2b06b7af18da9bbd67bdba8ae4033cdb/orig.mp4?Expires=1775563121&Signature=EWVg93eTYuJAHvKKbw5sFdYq1LXzrqonGtyyrL2U-DFXBnJAZMiW6fKcfJU~YMj5ifVDyI4d9jS4tgWeQ02L2Je98-PuPoXd88gDUC4YjMc6aLG4nLxw25YuMjIi9zcD01pl5yaya8~jqMDWuWfAC3JQDWPqbKkRA4fSNveFdBAXjlvcQHvkUsX-nVBu8uw48zmw4TdrhYaB8ePRDGsiTKNPrmeNTz~sIfOXrZXyEmqlw-V-gT-XMwd-up02oXms6pq0XKppuDWXk-Idf81ZgTxgJ7ELz0iKHyI-VB4FBxpxbGx2-a64~htrWFVZteSnhU0x2SftzNfnJPKw4G87YA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Justine Houdin, the Greenlee County fairgrounds director, told the Board of Supervisors the county has seen net losses from operating bar services at the county fair and proposed surrendering the county-held liquor license so private third-party vendors or nonprofits running events can provide bar services under contract.

Houdin presented a financial snapshot for the 2024 fair showing the county paid $2,345 to purchase liquor and $2,160 in staffing costs (paid at minimum wage), and recorded $4,445 in bar revenue. She said the figures exclude training costs for compliance with Title 4 and the administrative cost of hiring temporary staff and coordinating with distributors. \"I would like to propose that we surrender our liquor license,\" she told the board. She said allowing third-party vendors would let rent‑ers or nonprofits obtain required insurance and reduce county liability, and that bars holding the appropriate state license could add a temporary extension to serve at the fair.

Houdin said she had prepared a request for interest (RFI/ROI) to solicit third-party vendors and had discussed a contingency: the county could instead apply for a state special permit that allows a government agency to run bar service for up to 10 days per year. She said the county had typically sold liquor for two days during the fair and that the special permit application could be processed quickly if needed.

Supervisors asked about timing and continuity for the upcoming fair. Houdin said she had already prepared the solicitation and sent a draft to Austin (county staff) for review so the county could have a vendor in place; her backup was to apply for the special permit if no vendor was found in time. Supervisors and other speakers expressed support for the approach and praised Houdin for proposing the change and doing the cost analysis.

Board discussion concluded with a motion to discontinue the Greenlee County–held liquor license for the fairgrounds and to explore contracting with third-party vendors for bar services during the county fair. The motion was seconded and passed by voice vote. A supervisor asked Houdin to ensure there would still be service available for the fair; she confirmed the solicitation and special-permit backup were intended to prevent any interruption.

Houdin also noted eligibility rules she had reviewed: government agencies, nonprofits and charities can apply for certain series licenses and bars can request extensions to serve at events across Arizona; some small retailers might be eligible depending on their license series. She said the county can include supervisory terms in vendor contracts, require insurance with alcohol coverage, and require security if needed to mitigate overserving and liability risks.","Fairgrounds Director Justine Houdin recommended the county surrender its liquor license after accounting for staffing, purchase costs and liabilities; the board voted to discontinue the county-held license and direct the fair director to pursue contracting with third-party vendors and alternatives including a special permit.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6160631,"County attorney says bylaws and meeting minutes show Susan Breen remains Democratic chair; board approves three precinct committeemen",791,1247000,2038000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5450243-6fe7bb282d95198aa5f162ed5c5e4e08&start=1247&end=2038","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5450243-6fe7bb282d95198aa5f162ed5c5e4e08/thumbnail_1247000.jpg","/articles/6160631/Greenlee-County/Arizona/County-attorney-says-bylaws-and-meeting-minutes-show-Susan-Breen-remains-Democratic-chair-board-approves-three-precinct-committeemen","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6160631-cb00eb730e4ae2fdf45af27490d078ca/orig.mp4?Expires=1775563122&Signature=Vr9PDSoyGM-5CDxFu6nbzZPRyBF6qGmJB~9us5IFEsHezi4eZrQLVS8wQVjHLZFFZyZgG74GhePU4SdPW6tTMt0Mri4y6vY~fEI7yVcaKj~UPgoernhva~a4pcqgTMgaVXNXmDxfFR9DUsLy6dsqRfAFhyvuQeiC5IWtIPn0kJysHUoMFKsw3kG~EMYWLx-eTWOS6eNNP9sj4OkFMuJum5XGA8bgxAQS5A8uZq9ocGgLwyN0HJy6kskCa8yU0N7Zjt8k-z5qmj94QN~csiGO7L4FEUjsL~h730JeDPh3onkHNo96HAyjCnzRBPfFyQhNJaqtvH0VPQn5jEIW6R7BLg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County Attorney Gary Griffith advised the Greenlee County Board of Supervisors on the board’s duties for recognizing the county Democratic Party chair and related precinct-committee appointments, and the board then approved three Democratic precinct committeemen to fill vacancies.

Griffith told the board he reviewed party minutes, the Greenlee County Democrats’ bylaws, case law and Robert’s Rules of Order and concluded the statutory process for selecting a county party chair had not been properly satisfied by the two sets of minutes that attempted to remove the incumbent. \"On the face of those . . . minutes . . . they didn't have the numbers present to make that kind of decision,\" Griffith said, referencing a March 26 executive-committee meeting and an April 24 regular meeting. He reported that the chair chosen at the statutory precinct-committee meeting in January was Susan Breen, and recommended the board rely on the results of that statutory meeting for official dealings.

The board then considered appointments to fill Democratic precinct-committee vacancies and approved nominees for vacancy R. Reyes (Precinct 5), York Sheldon (Precinct 5) and S. Lundin (Precinct 3, Clifton). The motion to approve the appointments was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.

Griffith warned the board his review did not address broader allegations that had been raised internally about the party’s officer conduct; he said his legal task for the board was narrowly to identify who the county should recognize as the party chair for statutory purposes. He described two defects in the minutes presented: insufficient executive-committee attendance to meet the bylaws’ two‑thirds removal threshold and, at the April 24 meeting, the absence of the quorum required under the party bylaws to elect a replacement.

Because Arizona case law and statute create a public purpose in having a clear process for identifying party chairs — so county and state officials know who to deal with — Griffith said the county should continue to rely on the chair elected through the statutory precinct-committee meeting unless presented with clear, valid evidence of a lawful change.

The board’s action on the precinct‑committeemen appointments was limited to filling the named vacancies; the board did not take additional action on the internal party dispute.

Members of the public who had earlier submitted a letter to the board were asked to have the board clerk and county attorney review that material; supervisors debated whether to recess before the agenda item to permit review. Griffith said the county attorney had reviewed the minutes provided by the party secretary and confirmed the secretary’s role in maintaining those minutes; he did not meet with the competing claimants to the chairmanship as part of that review.

The board’s approval of the three precinct‑committeemen was recorded by voice vote as approved.","Greenlee County’s attorney told the Board of Supervisors that, based on meeting minutes, party bylaws and applicable case law, Susan Breen remains the county Democratic chair; the board then approved three precinct committeeman appointments to fill vacancies.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board adopts Greenlee County fiscal 2025–2026 final budget, holds primary property tax rate steady

Board awards $85,850 bid to Peterson Landscaping for Loma Linda ballfield sod and sprinkler work

Fair director urges surrender of county liquor license; board votes to discontinue and seek third‑party vendors

County attorney says bylaws and meeting minutes show Susan Breen remains Democratic chair; board approves three precinct committeemen