County administration presented a proposed fiscal year 2026 budget to the Montezuma County commissioners on Oct. 14. Staff distributed the proposed budget to commissioners and said the document will be released to the public for review as required by statute.

Key figures presented by county staff included estimated general fund revenues of roughly $15.0 million with proposed expenditures that exceed projected revenues (staff cited approximately $16.7 million in anticipated general fund expenditures). Commissioners were told the sheriff’s office share of the general fund would rise modestly to about 43.98 percent of the general fund in the proposal; staff emphasized that the budget did not yet include the final numbers for collective bargaining and that a budget amendment would likely be required when those figures are settled.

Other items discussed in the budget presentation included: road and bridge projected revenues of about $5.305 million and expenditures of about $6.137 million; public health revenues around $1.951 million with expenditures around $2.033 million; capital projects including parking lot replacement, building assessment, $250,000 for the Mesa Verde Trail project, assessor aerial flyover work, security camera and computer upgrades, and detention radio purchases. Staff said capital funds and reserves would be used to cover planned shortfalls.

Staff noted the county budgets conservatively and compared neighboring counties that are taking more drastic personnel actions; commissioners asked no substantive follow‑up questions during the presentation and staff will proceed with public posting and the formal budget process.

Ending: Staff intends to publish the proposed budget for public review and will return to the commissioners for adoption after required hearings and any necessary amendments.