Jesus Valdez, county manager, said the county is developing a budget that includes a four-year plan to reduce the tax rate and fund capital projects and workforce improvements.

Valdez said the county’s property taxes and sales taxes do not fully cover county expenses for a population of about 50,000, and leaders are planning gradual reductions in the tax rate that will take effect if the Board of Supervisors accepts the plan each year.

The tax-rate discussion comes as the county finalizes a budget and details on capital projects. "Were looking at a 4 year plan where were gonnatake off a few points from ourtax rate, in order to alleviate some of the, you know, the burden in our community," Valdez said. He added that any annual reduction requires action by the board.

Valdez said the budget also includes two bridge projects scheduled for construction this year: a bridge over Botrero Creek on Ruby Road and a bridge on Elgin Road in Sonora over the Babakumari wash. "Currently, we have 2 bridges that were planning on constructing," he said. He also said staff are studying a road alignment to create a spine road so residents would not be dependent on Interstate 19 for local travel.

On workforce and administration, Valdez said the county has added capacity in the managers office and is investing in staff pay and training. "We added more capacity to the manager and the Board of Supervisors. We have 2 deputy county managers. In years past, we only had 1," he said. Valdez said the county also is working with consultants on grants and economic development to help deliver services.

Valdez described the role of county management in coordinating with the Board of Supervisors and other stakeholders: "My role is to work with the board of supervisors and all the elected officials, to make sure that theyre able to do their provide their duties as prescribed in the Arizona revised statutes." He said county management acts as an extension of the board when communicating with cities, towns and state agencies.

No formal votes or motions on the budget or tax plan were recorded in this interview. Valdez said the four-year tax-rate plan will be implemented year-by-year after board acceptance and that more detailed dollar amounts and percentages were not specified in the interview.

For residents, Valdez encouraged engagement with county offices and said staff are available for questions as budget planning continues.