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Supervisors warned of state budget impasse and possible pension contribution increases
Summary
County staff warned the board that a state budget impasse could extend past June 30, affecting county budget planning, and flagged possible future increases in employer contributions to the PSPRS pension system.
County staff briefed the Cochise County Board of Supervisors on state and federal developments that could affect county finances, saying the ongoing state budget impasse in Phoenix may push decisions past the June 30 target and complicate Cochise County's budget process.
Staff said the joint legislative budget committee's revenue projections have fluctuated and that a final state budget may be delayed, forcing the county to prepare contingencies. The county cannot increase its baseline budget between now and adoption; if state allocations change downward the county would have fewer options other than cuts.
At the federal level staff noted a large spending bill moving through Congress could reshape health and human services spending. Supervisors said potential legislative changes at the federal level could affect Medicaid and other programs that influence county costs.
Separately, the county manager reported that the PSPRS (Public Safety Personnel Retirement System) board is considering actuarial changes that could raise employer payroll-contribution rates in future years. While staff said any change would not affect the current year immediately, supervisors were warned that employer contributions could increase ‘‘by several points’’ depending on PSPRS decisions, which could add pressure to local budgets.
