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Preliminary FY2728FY28 budget preview flags assessor reappraisal, housing pilot and capital asks
Summary
Finance staff presented a preliminary two-year budget on May 5 showing projected GRT growth, a target FY27 surplus of roughly $5.7 million and several large requests: an assessor reappraisal (RFI cost 2.5to7.5 million), a proposed $2 million housing pilot, and multiple capital and vehicle requests that exceed the near-term surplus.
Doa1a Ana County finance staff presented preliminary revenue and expenditure forecasts for FY27 and FY28, alongside department requests and capital carryovers. The key takeaways:
- Revenues and reserves: Staff assume 6% GRT growth for FY27 and 7% for FY28 and project a preliminary FY27 adjusted surplus of about $5.7 million after restricted funds and one-time items. Cash reserves remain above the state-required minimum and currently exceed roughly four to six months of expenditures depending on which items are considered unrestricted. Finance emphasized the need to keep recurring revenues above recurring expenditures.
- Assessor reappraisal and the "1% fund": The assessor requested shifting positions and operating costs now paid from the assessors 1% reappraisal fund into the general fund. Staff estimated that moving eight appraiser-assistant positions and related operating costs would cost the general fund about $1.7 million in FY27; the assessors RFI for full reappraisal contractors ranges from about $2.5 million to $7.5 million depending on scope.
- Housing pilot (HCAP): County staff presented a proposed housing pilot and permanent housing program planning request totaling about $2 million for the initial pilot and planning costs; staff recommended evaluating a sustainable long-term funding source in subsequent cycles.
- Capital and vehicles: Departments submitted capital outlay and vehicle-replacement lists that, if all approved, would exceed available one-time funds. Staff flagged roughly $9.2 million in new unrestricted capital requests for FY27 (including detention and public-safety items) and large vehicle-replacement requests to be reprioritized.
Commissioners pressed for clarity on the assessors reappraisal plan and requested that the assessor present a specific, board-approved reappraisal timeline and scope. Staff noted the assessor had proposed meeting with commissioners on a one-to-one basis but that the board must ultimately approve any plan that uses 1% fund money for reappraisal. No final budget votes were taken; staff will revise the preliminary plan to reflect flood commission findings, pending grant awards and commissioner direction.
