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Taos County commissioners approve 2025-26 interim budget, send it to DFA
Summary
The Taos County Board of Commissioners voted to approve an interim 2025–26 budget after a public hearing and departmental review, authorizing staff to make minor adjustments before submission to the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration.
The Taos County Board of Commissioners approved an interim fiscal year 2025–26 county budget during a special meeting Tuesday, May 27, 2025, forwarding the document to the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration for review subject to minor edits this week.
County staff presented the interim budget as a conservative package that projects $24,000,384 in total revenues — a 4% increase from the adopted 2024–25 budget — and $20,000,934 in projected expenses, a 1% increase from 2024–25. The presentation described a $3,000,484 projected recurring net position and a March 2025 cash balance of about $13.0 million.
The budget presentation, led by Wendy Harris and county staff, highlighted a 5% projected increase in property tax revenue based on assessor valuations and a 3% cost-of-living adjustment budgeted for county employees. The packet also includes transfers to capital and special funds: a $3,400,000 allocation to the 3.99 capital enhancement fund and transfers to support jail operations and senior programs.
Commissioner Jared Brush moved approval of the interim budget “subject to any changes we need to make this week prior to submission to DFA,” and Commissioner Behill seconded. The clerk called the roll; the motion passed and the board authorized staff to submit the interim budget to DFA with any final technical edits.
The approved interim budget is not final: commissioners directed staff to continue refining department line items and to incorporate grant award letters and other known changes before the final budget. Several grant-funded programs (EMS, fire protection and others) were presented on a cash-basis pending award letters and will be adjusted if award amounts arrive before the final adoption.
Looking ahead, staff said the interim budget will be updated to reflect any federal or state grant awards received before final submission and to finalize a contingency plan if federal PILT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) payments are reduced or delayed.
