Sandoval County commissioners adopt year-end budget resolutions after staff reports lower-than-expected revenues

Sandoval County commissioners unanimously adopted end-of-year budget resolutions and approved fourth-quarter financial reporting to close out fiscal year 2025 at a special meeting, county finance staff said.

County finance staff told the commission the county fell short of several revenue projections for FY25, and the commission approved budget adjustments that staff must submit to the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration before FY26 budget submittal.

Cassandra, county finance staff, told commissioners the county’s operating current-year property-tax revenues were about $588,000 below projections. “Our revenues, they came in $588,000 lower than what was projected. I’ve spoken to the treasurer’s office. That is mainly due to some of the exemptions that currently occurred. There was also a small assessment that was done that should not have been done, so they had to reverse that out,” Cassandra said.

She also reported the county came in about $453,000 under budget on gross-receipts infrastructure receipts, which she said reflected a slowdown in building activity, and about $276,000 under budget in oil-and-gas receipts. In addition, she said a $303,000 adjustment was made for election-expense reimbursement after the state of New Mexico would not reimburse certain clerk expenses tied to work performed by the sheriff’s office, leaving the county to cover that cost.

“We did not meet the mark on that,” Cassandra said of the revenue lines. Commissioner Brook said the public benefits from understanding the specifics of declining revenues. “I think the public appreciates understanding, more specifically where we may have these declining revenues, and then where our concerns may come going forward,” Brook said, urging the commission to consider how to adjust services and budgets.

The commission moved to adopt the resolutions the finance staff presented. Commissioner Juarez moved to adopt the resolution approving Sandoval County’s fourth-quarter financial reporting ending June 30, 2025 (resolution 7-18-25-3B); Commissioner Brook seconded. The vote was recorded as: Chair Jones, yes; Vice Chair Juarez, yes; Commissioner Brook, yes; Commissioner Hurd, yes; Commissioner Meek, yes. The commission then moved and adopted a second budget resolution (item 3B) on a motion by Commissioner Brook, seconded by Commissioner Hurd; that vote was also unanimous.

County staff said the adjustments must be submitted to the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration as part of the FY26 budget process. Commissioners exchanged brief remarks of thanks to the acting chair and then adjourned the meeting.

No other formal actions or budget amounts beyond those described were specified in the transcript.