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Yuma County Board backs $1 million for Colorado River litigation and opposes election precinct change resolution
Summary
County staff briefed supervisors on the state legislative session; the board voted to support HB 2116 (a $1 million appropriation to the Colorado River Litigation Fund) and voted to oppose HCR 2016, a measure supervisors said would impose costly, unfunded precinct limits.
Alejandro Figueroa, Yuma County's Economic Development and Intergovernmental Affairs representative, delivered a legislative update on March 2 and highlighted several measures the county is tracking.
Figueroa described 'crossover week' and the March 27 deadline for bills to receive hearings in the opposite chamber. He also summarized JLBC fiscal highlights, noting General Fund revenues were up 2.9% year to date but were still about $16 million below the January baseline forecast.
Figueroa asked the board whether it would support HB 2116, which the transcript records as an appropriation of $1,000,000 to the Colorado River Litigation Fund. "Staff would recommend that Yuma County supports this unless, Mr. Viascher Lines, says otherwise — he's the water expert," Figueroa said, and members indicated support. A motion and second were made and the board voted to support HB 2116.
Figueroa also flagged HCR 2016, a concurrent resolution that would limit precincts to no more than 2,500 registered voters and, according to Figueroa, would increase the number of precincts counties must manage and raise costs into the millions for Yuma County. Supervisors described it as an unfunded mandate and moved to oppose HCR 2016; the motion carried on a voice vote.
Board members asked that staff coordinate opposition messaging stressing the cost impact and requests that the Legislature fund any additional county requirements. Figueroa closed by noting the public-comment period for the Colorado River draft environmental impact statement closed that day and that the Bureau of Reclamation intends to issue a final decision before Oct. 1.
Outcomes: the board voted to support HB 2116 (Colorado River Litigation Fund appropriation) and to oppose HCR 2016 (precinct size limit). Staff was directed to coordinate opposition messaging and to sign letters of support or opposition as appropriate.
