Yuma County reports stronger-than-expected first-quarter revenues, budget director says

Tony Strzok, Yuma County’s budget director, told the Board of Supervisors on Dec. 1 that first‑quarter fiscal results were generally favorable, with revenues of about $2,021,300,000 year‑to‑date and collections running roughly $1.1 million above the first‑quarter benchmark.

Strzok attributed the positive variance to stronger-than-expected county sales taxes, higher indirect cost recoveries and an early collection pattern for property taxes. He said vehicle license and contracting receipts were above benchmark, and noted state‑shared sales taxes were close to expectations. The presentation included a detailed breakdown of revenue categories and a graph comparing current receipts with the prior three years.

On the expenditure side, Strzok reported year‑to‑date expenses of about $3,030,900,000 and an increase in personnel costs tied to a compensation strategy approved by the board and higher health and workers’ compensation costs. He said the county reduced its vacancy rate from 8.15% in the prior year’s first quarter to about 7.47% this year and that roughly 54 positions remain open across departmental lines.

Strzok told supervisors most of the county’s property taxes are collected in the second quarter and cautioned that some earlier variances related to timing (including a refund tied to a utility adjustment). He said the county will monitor retail and contracting categories through the remainder of the fiscal year and that an updated picture should emerge after December’s reports.

Supervisors asked about long‑term financing, expense limitation issues and whether current revenue trends affect the need for an override or other structural changes; Strzok recommended further discussion with the county’s finance team and department directors and noted some cash contingency and salary savings could cover incremental staffing if needed in the current fiscal year.