Budget advisory board reviews 2026 personnel requests, recommends COLA baseline

Personnel Services Director Tess Barger told the Grand County Budget Advisory Board on Oct. 31 that her office had received five new position requests and seven reclassification requests to be considered for the 2026 budget. She emphasized these are proposals to be prioritized by the County Commission and that they are not yet included in the tentative budget.

Barger highlighted a mix of discretionary and mandatory requests. "It is mandated that by the state that we do provide victim services," she said when explaining a county need to fill a victim‑advocate gap after Moab City Police declined to renew a memorandum of understanding. To meet that mandate, the County Attorney's Office requested a part‑time victim advocate at roughly 24 hours per week with an estimated salary near $37,000; the position would serve the attorney's office, sheriff's office and the criminal justice center.

Other new position requests included a maintenance technician for the Old Spanish Trail Arena (OSTA) to address sustained event schedules and overtime overruns. Barger said OSTA is a 65‑acre site with public access and weekend bookings from late February to mid‑July and again September to mid‑November; the facility has already exceeded its 2025 overtime budget…