Pinetop Lakeside adopts FY2026 budget as council vows deeper cuts and ongoing review

The Pinetop Lakeside Town Council unanimously approved Resolution 25-1785 on Wednesday to adopt the town’s fiscal year 2025–26 final budget, a measure councilors said meets the statutory adoption deadline while leaving a series of follow-up actions to restore fiscal health. The vote followed a presentation by consultants from the James Vincent Group and town staff detailing revenue shortfalls, declining fund balances and planned contingency increases. The budget the council adopted keeps total expenditures at about $41.9 million, funds 66 full‑time equivalent positions and increases the town’s contingency to roughly $1 million, a change consultants said was needed to avoid cutting essential services too quickly. “I think, ultimately, though, we have a plan to go forward,” said Gabe Buldra, a partner with the James Vincent…