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Coconino County adopts FY2026 budget, formalizes 25% reserve policy and $15 million stability fund
Summary
The Coconino County Board of Supervisors adopted a balanced FY2026 budget, established a formal general-fund reserve equal to 25% of annual general fund revenue, committed a one‑time $15 million stability fund and approved the county's primary and secondary property tax levies after required public hearings.
The Coconino County Board of Supervisors adopted the county's final fiscal year 2026 budget and related fiscal policies after a series of public hearings and multi-day budget workshops. The board voted unanimously to approve the $443,009,427 all‑fund budget, a formal reserve policy that targets 25% of general‑fund revenue, and a one‑time $15,000,000 stability fund to help cover cash‑flow needs, natural‑disaster response and service continuation if federal or state funding is disrupted.
County Finance Director Siri Malaney told the board the reserve policy's purpose is to "guard its citizens against service disruptions in the event of economic uncertainties, local disasters, and other financial hardships" and to "demonstrate continued creditworthiness to bond rating agencies." The stability fund was described as an additional committed fund balance that would remain set aside unless the board votes to allocate it to a specific purpose.
The board approved the county's primary property tax rate at $0.483 per $100 of assessed value after a truth‑in‑taxation hearing required under state law. Finance staff explained the rate fell because property valuations rose faster than the allowable levy increase; the levy itself rose modestly. The board also completed required hearings and actions for the Flood Control District, Public Health Services District and Library District. The library district rate was increased by two cents per $100 of assessed value to shore up bookmobile service and library operations across remote communities.
Supervisors and staff stressed the budget reflects a conservative approach: no general expansion of services and limited new staffing. Vice Chair Jeronimo Vasquez and Chair Patrice Horstman said the measures were intended to protect essential services while preserving flexibility if revenues decline. Public comment included a property owner who urged continued restraint on tax growth.
The board approved the budget and related rate and policy measures by recorded votes; each vote passed unanimously.
