The San Juan County Council held a special meeting on September 30, 2025, to address pressing budgetary concerns and the implications of mandated services versus discretionary spending. The meeting began with a focus on the challenges posed by a projected budget cut of 9.5%, prompting discussions on how to prioritize essential services while managing limited resources.

Council members expressed the need for a clear understanding of what constitutes discretionary spending across various departments. The conversation highlighted the importance of departments evaluating their budgets to identify areas where cuts could be made without compromising mandated services. Chairman McPhee emphasized the iterative nature of the budgeting process, noting that precise impacts of proposed cuts would only become clear once numbers were plugged into the budget framework.

A significant point raised during the meeting was the necessity for departments to communicate their needs and the potential consequences of budget cuts. Council members urged department heads to return with proposals that outline essential services and areas where reductions could be feasible. The discussion underscored the importance of collaboration among departments to ensure that all voices are heard in the budgeting process.

Council member Fuller added that the challenges faced by internal services should also be considered, suggesting that departments must collectively assess what expenses can be deferred or reduced. The need for a shared understanding of discretionary spending was emphasized, as different departments may interpret this term in various ways.

The meeting concluded with a call for departments to provide feedback on their service levels and to identify which areas could be adjusted to align with the county's financial realities. The council recognized the complexity of balancing the budget and the necessity for a cooperative approach to navigate the upcoming fiscal challenges.