Commissioners approve final 2026 budget determination; EMS Station cost and funding discussed

Grand County staff presented the county’s updated beginning fund balance and detailed restricted and unrestricted funds as part of the 2026 budget hearing continuation on Nov. 12. Finance director presented corrected beginning fund balances and a fund‑balance spreadsheet showing restricted funds and an estimated unrestricted general‑fund balance.

Commissioners discussed planned capital projects, including EMS Station 1. Finance estimated construction and related costs for EMS Station 1 (including land) at about $34.7 million; the Board’s capital portion over the life of COP payments was described in staff materials and discussed in the meeting. Staff explained the expected annual debt/COP payments and contingency planning; commissioners noted that some projects cannot be fully funded from the general fund and will require other funding sources.

A motion to approve the final budget determination (not the formal appropriation) carried; county attorney and staff noted that collective bargaining costs were not included in the final determination because a finalized agreement was not available. Commissioners also discussed minor wordsmithing to the budget message; approval of the final budget message was deferred pending editing and obtaining signatures.

The meeting record shows the board approved the administrative step to finalize the budget determinations and authorized staff to prepare resolutions for adoption in December and to continue work on funding options for capital projects.

Next steps: staff to prepare final budget resolutions for December, finalize budget message wording, and identify funding sources for capital priorities such as the EMS station.