Supervisors tentatively fund local nonprofits, set aside $40,000 for Meals on Wheels and $150,000 for Sullivan Canyon purchase

YAVAPAI COUNTY, Ariz. — As part of the May 6 budget study session the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors reviewed recommended contributions to local nonprofit partners and cultural projects and signaled specific one‑time funding directions.

Board direction and amounts: Staff’s “green column” recommendation included most agency requests with two explicit exceptions: the board indicated it would not recommend the Pure Imagination music festival increase and instructed staff to leave county fair support at the current $25,000. Supervisors also signaled a willingness to set aside $40,000 as a contingency for Meals on Wheels programs that serve unincorporated county residents if NACOG applies federal cuts to feeding programs. On the Upper Sullivan Canyon property purchase, staff showed $150,000 included in the recommended funding and the board asked staff to note that amount as a not‑to‑exceed contribution for a possible property purchase so funds could be reallocated if outside fundraising exceeded expectations.

Why it matters: Supervisors framed the Meals on Wheels contingency as a timely response to an anticipated 35% cut NACOG has discussed; the board said a one‑time county allocation would protect vulnerable, home‑bound residents who rely on congregate and delivered meals. The Upper Sullivan Canyon purchase was described as a regional open‑space and trail linkage priority involving multiple municipalities; supervisors emphasized the county’s $150,000 role would be matched by other local contributions and municipal maintenance commitments.

Discussion highlights: Supervisor Chek proposed the $40,000 contingency specifically for NACOG‑affiliated Meals on Wheels providers and urged using reserves as a one‑time bridge while the board monitors federal action. Board members noted Verde Valley Meals on Wheels volunteers and municipal contributions for local community centers; one supervisor estimated a per‑meal cost used for planning at about $14 and said fully covering unincorporated residents’ meals might approach $120,000 annually (staff and supervisors described that number as an estimate, not an exact accounting).

Next steps and caveats: Staff will fold the board’s directions into the tentative budget and reflect the not‑to‑exceed language for the Sullivan Canyon contribution; the final allocation will depend on the June budget timetable and incoming fundraising totals. The board did not take a formal vote to appropriate these dollars at the study session; the items will be presented in the tentative budget for the public hearing and adoption process.

Ending note: The contributions review was one of several budget tradeoffs the board considered the morning of May 6; staff will return the tentative budget with the directed adjustments, including the Meals on Wheels contingency and a not‑to‑exceed Sullivan Canyon allocation.