San Juan County staff presented a preliminary 2026 budget and fielded questions from commissioners about personnel costs, capital projects and grant-funded positions.

Willie (county staff) led the presentation, noting the budget assumes a 4% across-the-board pay increase for employees and that staff built in a 10% contingency for health insurance pending broker estimates. He said some employee positions remain grant-funded and that grant funding levels will influence final personnel budgeting.

Capital requests discussed included courthouse and hospital-building maintenance, sidewalk replacement near the historic site, a new building generator (to power the full courthouse building, not just the sheriff’s office), and vehicle replacements (county Explorer and sheriff vehicles). Willie said the county plans to consider lease-purchase timelines and highlighted that several existing lease agreements end between 2027–2029, which will reduce future annual obligations.

Commissioners pressed about health-insurance and personnel costs. Staff confirmed that some clinic positions (Becky, Amy) remain covered by grants for the coming year and that those revenues were accounted for in the draft. The board also asked staff to consider vehicle specifications useful to multiple departments (for example, a four-door pickup that could temporarily serve Road & Bridge if needed).

The budget presentation also discussed reserve and debt items: the county intends to pay off smaller lease purchases early if cash allows (one shop building was flagged as a candidate for payoff to reduce interest expense) while larger liabilities (Anvil Mountain project) remain longer-term obligations.

During the meeting the commissioners approved two formal items on the consent/financial agenda: an annual website-sharing expenditure for the regional alpineloop.info tourism site and the September 2025 financial report. The board approved a three-year, $175-per-year expenditure to remain on alpineloop.info (motion carried; vote called and affirmed by voice). They also voted to accept the September 2025 financial report (voice vote: aye).

Ending

Willie said staff will refine the draft for the public hearing scheduled as part of the November meetings. Commissioners asked staff to return with cost estimates for key capital projects (generator, sidewalk work, vehicle options) and updated insurance-rate estimates in advance of the formal November budget hearing.