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Colfax County delays final budget as commissioners debate cuts after deficit reduced
Summary
Colfax County commissioners postponed final budget adoption at their July 23 meeting after staff reported the deficit fell from $10,000,000.00 to $9,730,713.00; commissioners directed additional cuts and scheduled a special meeting July 30 to continue work.
The Colfax County Board of Commissioners postponed adoption of the county's final budget on July 23 after staff reported a reduced but still substantial operating deficit.
At the meeting, contractor and finance presenter Tai Etcheverry Pettigrew told commissioners she had met with the clerk, treasurer and sheriff and that “the deficit was reduced from $10,000,000.00 to $9,730,713.00.” Pettigrew requested that Resolution 2024-28 (final budget adoption) be postponed to allow further adjustments; the board agreed and set a special meeting for July 30 at 9:00 a.m.
Why it matters: County leaders said they need more time to reconcile department budgets and identify cuts that would balance the ledger without eliminating essential services. Commissioners and staff discussed specific reductions and cost-shifting measures they said would lower the gap before final adoption.
Commissioners discussed a set of proposals and manager recommendations aimed at shaving costs. Options included charging event-related sheriff services to the Lodger's Tax fund, moving 50% of the Lodger's Tax clerk's salary into that fund, and trimming attorney fees by $25,000. Chairman Si Trujillo asked the sheriff and the assessor to each cut $12,500 from their budgets. Commissioner Mary Lou Kem said she had examined line items across departments and found additional reductions to propose.
Financial process and next steps: Chairman Trujillo asked staff to provide the commission with a detailed general ledger, salary schedule, commission recap and DFA calculations ahead of the July 30 special meeting. Commissioners also discussed adopting an updated salary schedule and shifting to ACH payments with emailed paystubs to reduce check-related expenses.
What was not decided: The board did not adopt the final budget or vote on the proposed reductions on July 23. Several numbers and proposals were discussed but not finalized; officials said additional review and a subsequent meeting would determine whether the recommended cuts are implemented.
The county clerk and finance staff will return to the commission with requested documents at the special meeting July 30.
