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Snowflake council reviews FY26 budget, presses for tighter shared-services oversight and grant strategy
Summary
At a May 6 worksession the Snowflake Town Council reviewed FY26 revenue forecasts and line-item pressures—highlighting fire shared-services costs, staffing and long-deferred utility infrastructure—and asked staff to pursue grants and updated franchise agreements.
At a May 6, 2025 worksession the Snowflake Town Council reviewed the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget, focusing attention on shared-services funding for the fire department, personnel costs and the need to replace decades-old utility infrastructure. Brian Richards, a town staff member, outlined revenues and expenditures and warned that revenues are trending downward.
Richards said capital outlay was unusually large this year and that “salaries and wages, and employee benefits are the largest line items,” noting that the town has added several positions across departments. He told council members the town has budgeted conservatively: “Over the last ten years we have brought in approximately $110 million and spent about $93 million,” he said, to illustrate a long-term surplus while cautioning against repeated cost increases.
Council members pressed for clearer justification of cost increases tied to shared services. Council member Mark Sheen said the police department provided a solid recruitment-based rationale for a proposed cost-of-living adjustment, but he asked for stronger justification from the fire department for similar increases. Council member Byron Lewis suggested reviewing franchise agreements to see whether they should be updated to improve revenue.
Richards said the town had not held shared-services meetings for two years and that the fire budget had been underbudgeted as a result; he recommended keeping the fire allocation where it stands until revenues stabilize and holding more frequent shared-services meetings going forward.
Council members agreed they would like staff to seek more grant opportunities for fire and other service departments. Sheen proposed issuing a requisition for a grant writer whose pay would be a percentage of any grant funds secured; the council directed that the idea be discussed at a future work session.
On capital projects, Richards told the council that many utility expenditures stem from infrastructure that “has not been replaced for 25+ years” and that planned replacements and upgrades are necessary. He also said the town anticipates pursuing a development agreement with Tractor Supply and completing a 7th South extension to 2nd East, and that the town expects some funding from Navajo County for that road project.
The council did not take formal votes on budget items at the worksession; members discussed options and directed staff to return with more detailed proposals and justification at future meetings. The worksession adjourned at 6:15 p.m.
