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Pima County adopts FY2026–27 $1.89 billion budget and approves $1,000 bonus for workers earning $45,000 or less
Summary
The Pima County Board of Supervisors adopted the FY2026–27 budget and approved a one-time $1,000 payment to each county employee earning $45,000 or less, funded from available balances. The package funds core services while directing follow-up on workforce pay and program priorities.
The Pima County Board of Supervisors voted to adopt the final FY2026–27 budget on June 23, approving an overall county spending plan and a one-time $1,000 payment for employees who earn $45,000 or less.
County budget staff told the board the adopted package reflects $1.89 billion in total revenues and $1.81 billion in expenditures across county and restricted funds, with the general fund projection at roughly $850.5 million in revenues. Deputy county finance staff said the final plan preserves contingency for unexpected state and federal cuts while funding public safety, roads, public health, parks and other essential services.
Board members debated employee compensation before adding a one-time payment intended to help lower-wage employees cover rising costs. “I would like to make sure we do more than a one-time gesture,” Supervisor Cono said during discussion, but supported the immediate payment as an urgent step for workers under financial strain. The board approved the budget as amended by a 4–1 roll-call vote with Supervisor Christie voting no.
The board also adopted required district budgets and debt-service resolutions for flood control, library, stadium and improvement districts as part of the same meeting. County staff said the vote completes the statutory truth-in-taxation public hearing obligations.
What happens next: County payroll and human-resources staff will identify eligible employees and issue the one-time payment this summer; county administration will return to the board with options for longer-term compensation strategies, the administration said.
Votes at a glance - Final FY2026–27 county budget (Resolution 2026‑33): adopted, mover Chair Allen, second Supervisor Hines; roll-call 4 yes, 1 no (Christie). - Debt-service and district budgets (multiple resolutions): adopted (various votes recorded during the hearing). - Employee bonus: board directed administrators to allocate approximately $1.3 million to provide $1,000 payments to employees making $45,000 or less; funding source to be identified by staff.
Funding and context: The board discussed federal and state funding volatility and the need to protect core services. Several supervisors said the county must also pursue longer-term compensation changes; staff noted a separate classification-and-compensation study is in progress.
