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La Paz County adopts tentative FY27 budget, budgets solar revenue and flags tax-levy questions
Summary
The La Paz County Board of Supervisors adopted a tentative fiscal year 2026–27 budget May 18 that includes conservative revenue forecasts, a projected solar-related transfer (about $5.1M into the general fund), capital set-asides and contingency; supervisors asked for clearer levy calculations after staff estimated up to $10M in property-tax-related revenue driven by new construction and solar development.
La Paz County supervisors adopted the tentative budget for fiscal year 2026–27 on May 18 after a detailed presentation from county finance staff that emphasized conservative revenue estimates, contingency funding and the need to monitor cash receipts before spending one-time solar-related transfers.
"We budgeted it so we can spend it, but the things that it will be used for, the money won't actually be spent until after we received it," the county finance presenter said, explaining the county's approach to recognizing solar lease activity and transfers to the general fund.
Key elements: The tentative budget incorporates an estimated $5.1 million transfer from solar-related revenues into the general fund (part of a $6 million solar package discussed during the presentation), $910,000 set aside for capital outlays, a $1.1 million contingency, and provisions for merit and COLA increases. Staff said the $5.1 million figure is an anticipated transfer and spending depends on cash receipts; the board emphasized it will not spend the funds until money is in the bank.
Tax-levy discussion: Supervisors pressed staff on a projected jump in the county's levy-limit calculations. Finance staff and the county’s levy specialist said the large increase seen in the prior year’s levy limit was driven by a year when $87 million of new construction was reported (infrastructure development that affects the levy limit). Using that experience, staff said a conservative FY27 estimate for taxable value growth tied to solar and other activity was about $10 million. Board members asked for clearer line-by-line presentations on the levy worksheet and said they will examine final numbers before adopting the budget in June.
Board action: After questions and clarifications about schedule A figures, grant inclusions and the mechanics of levy and tax-rate calculations, Supervisor motion and second carried and the board adopted the tentative budget. The county reminded the public and watchers that the tentative budget creates maximum spending authority (it can only be reduced before final adoption) and that staff will continue to refine levy and line-item figures before final adoption on June 15.
What comes next: Staff will provide detailed levy-limit worksheets and corrected schedule figures requested by supervisors ahead of final adoption and continue to monitor actual solar revenue receipts before committing transfer spending.
