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San Juan County weighs resetting levy lid to 0.85 to close $3.7M budget gap
Summary
County staff told the council the county faces a projected $3.7 million 2027 shortfall and recommended a permanent levy-lid lift reset to 0.85 per $1,000 of assessed value; council debated beneficiary language and the degree of specificity voters should see on the ballot.
San Juan County staff presented detailed levy-lid lift scenarios on Feb. 3 as the council continued its conversation about a potential permanent reset of the county's current expense levy.
Staff said the county's assessed valuation for the current expense fund is approximately $14.8 billion and that the projected 2027 budget gap under current assumptions is about $3.7 million. That gap reflects compounding effects from 2026 budget decisions, rising costs including insurance, and higher personnel costs. Staff said asking voters to reset the lid to 0.85 per $1,000 of assessed value would generate roughly $4.5 million annually for the county in the example presented.
Tillery and budget staff walked the council through multiple rate options (0.75'0.85), the per‑household impact based on an $850,000 home example, and the historical context of prior lid lifts in 2009, 2014 and 2019. Staff explained the difference between a 1% statutory increase to the levy base and inflationary pressures on county operating costs.
Council discussed whether the ballot resolution should list specific beneficiary line items (for example senior services, public health, parks and fair) or use broader language that allows council discretion in future budgets. Staff recommended broad language that mirrors past lid lifts'"to allow the county to continue to fund existing services including, but not limited to..." Council members said they want to be able to explain to voters how the money would be used while retaining budget flexibility.
Council members also discussed timing and public outreach and asked staff to produce more granular figures showing historical allocations to the programs previously listed on earlier levy-lid lifts. Staff said the auditor's final 2025 figures would be available by March 1 and that staff would return to council with a draft resolution, voter-education materials and options for rates at the next meeting.
No formal vote to place a lid lift on the ballot occurred at the meeting; staff will present a draft resolution for council review at their next meeting.
