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Mohave County adopts tentative FY2027 budget, declines early landfill repayment and funds additional sheriff deputies
Summary
The Mohave County Board of Supervisors adopted a tentative FY2027 budget with modifications, kept the countyprimary property tax rate unchanged, voted not to make an early $7.5 million repayment to the landfill fund, and approved funding for eight new sheriff deputy positions (four more than originally budgeted). The changes widen the county's recurring structural deficit and delay a projected return to balance.
The Mohave County Board of Supervisors on June 1 adopted a tentative fiscal year 2027 budget with several modifications and set June 15 for a public hearing and final adoption.
Director of Finance and Administration Director Morian told the board the modifications amount to a net $264,000 increase in general fund expense since the April budget workshop and about $12 million in adjustments in other funds—largely grant changes and capital purchase order rollovers. The county's proposed primary property tax rate would remain at 1.8147 per $100 of assessed value; because assessed values rose, that will increase the levy collected unless the board reduces the rate at final adoption.
The board debated a manager recommendation to repay early a remaining $7.5 million balance that the general fund owes the landfill fund. Director Morian and Director Holtry highlighted the landfill's closure and postclosure liabilities (presented as roughly $24 million in obligations), and staff said an early repayment would immediately bolster the landfill fund balance. Supervisor Leman argued against early repayment, saying the general fund currently earns higher investment returns than the loan interest rate and that retaining the interest earnings in the general fund better preserves flexibility amid uncertain state actions. After discussion the board voted by roll call 3–2 to adopt the tentative budget with modifications and to forego the proposed early repayment to the landfill fund (Yeas: Leman, Brley, Lingfelter; Nays: Martin, Gold).
On staffing and public safety, the board approved adding eight new sheriff deputy positions to the FY27 budget (the manager and staff had initially budgeted four). Director Morian said each deputy represents an all‑in annual cost of about $150,000 (salary, benefits, patrol vehicle, equipment and training); the additional four deputies add roughly $600,000 annually, increasing the countyrecurring structural deficit and moving the projected return to recurring balance from FY28 to FY29 under current assumptions. Sheriff Schuster urged the board to add deputies, saying the department is understaffed and that ‘‘anything is better than nothing.''
The board also approved adding in‑house development services positions (a plans examiner and permit technician among others) to reduce outside plan-review backlog and potentially lower outside contract costs, which staff said could be largely net neutral depending on application volume.
What happens next: the board set a public hearing on the final budget and tax levy for June 15. The tentative budget adoption is procedural; any changes at the June hearing could alter the levy, staffing decisions or the boardfinal plan for the landfill loan.
