Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Graham County board adopts preliminary FY2025–26 budget, includes 4% market increase for employees
Summary
The Graham County Board of Supervisors approved a preliminary budget retroactive to July 1, 2025, setting a $62.8 million general-fund and $132.2 million all-funds budget and including a 4% market increase for employees and no increase in employee health contribution matching.
Graham County supervisors on July 21 approved the county’s preliminary fiscal year 2025–26 budget retroactive to July 1, 2025, setting a $62,800,000 general-fund budget and a $132,200,000 total-all-funds budget.
The preliminary budget includes a 4% market increase for all employees and, for the fourteenth consecutive year, no increase in employee contribution match for health benefits, county manager Welker told the board.
Welker said the county follows a “zero-based” budgeting practice required by state guidelines, which means carryover and anticipated revenue are budgeted and appropriated. In his presentation he listed a contingency in the general fund of $33,700,000 and a planned general-fund expenditure figure of $22,100,000 as presented to the board. He also outlined completed projects from FY2024–25 and planned capital and operational items for FY2025–26, including dispatch upgrades, K9s for sheriff and probation, Gila River Linear Park design, courthouse improvements, fairgrounds water and drainage work, and vehicle and equipment purchases.
Welker highlighted completed projects from the previous year such as a $2.3 million Motorola dispatch upgrade, repayment of a PSPRS unfunded liability that had been about $4 million, installation of new fairgrounds signage, well drilling at Central Park, IT server replacements, and multiple fairgrounds and highway department improvements.
During board discussion, supervisors thanked department heads and elected officials for budget work and reiterated priorities including public safety, facilities maintenance, and parks. Supervisor Howard moved to approve the preliminary budget; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote.
The board directed staff to provide department-level details and supporting documents to the board and the public, and the county manager said department heads and elected officials would be available after the meeting for follow-up questions.
The budget adoption was approved in a public vote; the county will follow required public posting and subsequent hearings as required under state budget law.
