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Greenlee County supervisors approve tentative FY 2026–27 budget and $3.2M in transfers to fund capital projects, ambulance and pension payoff
Summary
The Greenlee County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to adopt a tentative $50 million budget for FY 2026–27 and approved five budget transfers totaling about $3.2 million to buy vehicles, bolster flood response, fund capital improvements, set aside ambulance funds and reduce pension liabilities.
Greenlee County on Monday approved a tentative fiscal-year 2026–27 budget and a package of budget transfers that set aside cash for capital projects, emergency medical equipment and to reduce the county’s pension shortfall.
County Administrator Derek Rapier told the board the transfers are designed to “skim some of the cream off the top” of recent revenue gains and reserve money for foreseeable needs, including vehicle purchases, flood control, courthouse repairs, an ambulance and an extra PSPRS contribution. Rapier said the actions position the county to make large purchases without disrupting next year’s operations.
The board moved and passed five separate motions under Arizona Revised Statutes Section 42-17106(B). The votes were unanimous voice approvals. The transfers include: $200,000 to acquire vehicles for the Superior Court and fleet; $1,000,000 moved from general services to the Flood Control Fund to bolster flood response capacity; $925,712 transferred from LATCF fund 283 to the Capital Improvement Fund for courthouse and tier-one projects; $400,000 (split $250,000 sheriff fund, $150,000 grounds fund) set aside in the Public Health Services District to acquire an ambulance; and $700,000 moved from Superior Court and contingency funds to make an additional PSPRS pension contribution.
Rapier and staff emphasized that much of the county’s recent revenue strength reflects state-shared sales taxes tied to local copper-mining activity. Rapier said the tentative budget uses one-time revenues for one-time capital needs, and he recommended a 4% wage increase to keep employee pay ahead of local inflation while flagging sustainability risks if high raises continue.
On the pension issue, Rapier described how the county’s previous rapid wage increases increased the actuarial contribution rate and said the $700,000 payment will reduce long-term interest costs on the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System liability.
A public hearing on the tentative budget is scheduled for July 14, 2026, and the board set final adoption for its next meeting cycle. Rapier said full budget documents will be published online and in libraries ahead of the final vote.
Votes at a glance: - Vehicle/fleet transfer (reassign $100,000 + $100,000): Passed (voice vote; unanimous). - Flood control transfer ($1,000,000): Passed (voice vote; unanimous). - LATCF to capital improvements ($925,712): Passed (voice vote; unanimous). - Ambulance set-aside ($250,000 sheriff + $150,000 grounds = $400,000): Passed (voice vote; unanimous). - PSPRS additional contribution ($700,000): Passed (voice vote; unanimous).
What happens next: The tentative budget sets the county’s spending cap and will be published for public review. Final budget adoption, associated tax-rate settings and any remaining procurement or acquisition decisions will occur at subsequent meetings.
