Cochise County supervisors review preliminary FY26 budget projections as tax-rate choice looms

Cochise County supervisors on Monday, April 7, heard preliminary fiscal year 2026 budget projections at a work session in the Board of Supervisors hearing room, where staff outlined timeline expectations, revenue mixes, expense pressures and a looming decision point on the county property‑tax rate.

The presentation, led by County Manager Sharon and county finance staffer Stacy, set out the schedule: departmental work sessions through April, a final work session in mid‑May, tentative budget adoption on June 10 and final adoption in July; the board’s formal tax‑rate adoption typically occurs in August and tax bills are mailed in September. Stacy noted the county must plan a budget that accounts for the adopted tax rate because the tentative budget adopted in June cannot be increased later.

Why it matters: the board must balance lower state and federal funding with rising local expense drivers while remaining within Arizona’s aggregate expenditure limit. That limit increased this year, and the board must set a property‑tax rate that both funds county operations and provides department heads with realistic spending guidance before detailed departmental budgets are finalized.

Key figures and projections discussed

- Expenditure limit: staff reported the county’s aggregate expenditure limit rose to about $83,900,000 (staff presentation). - Revenue mix (general fund): property tax ~45%, county sales tax ~39%, other fees/fines/miscellaneous ~16%. - Assessed valuation: total FY26 assessed valuation reported as…