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Board rejects motion to require zero‑based budgeting for Development Services this year
Summary
A motion to instruct Development Services to use a zero‑based budgeting approach for the FY26 budget failed after supervisors and staff warned implementing that process mid‑cycle would be disruptive; public commenters were split.
The Mohave County Board of Supervisors considered and then rejected a motion on March 3 to require a zero‑based budgeting (ZBB) review of the Development Services Department for the FY26 budget.
Supervisor Don Gould proposed the ZBB instruction, saying Development Services is a logical place to begin because of its mix of permitting, flood control and building duties. Supporters in the public gallery urged the board to pilot ZBB as a transparency and accountability tool. Several residents and speakers backed the idea as a way to scrutinize departmental costs and ensure fees cover services.
County staff and the county manager cautioned that the county is already well into the FY26 budget cycle and that a true ZBB exercise requires starting at the beginning of a budget cycle and a substantial staff effort. Director Luke Morinien and County Manager Eltzers told the board that ZBB is time‑and resource‑intensive and that starting mid‑cycle could risk disrupting departmental operations. Several supervisors said the concept deserved study but that changing approach midstream would be infeasible.
The board held a recorded vote after discussion; the motion failed. Supporters said they would pursue alternatives such as a pilot or targeted decision packages that require stronger justification from departments in future cycles.
