Huachuca City reports $231,000 year‑to‑date surplus; council directs 'truth in taxation' notices

Town Manager Suzanne Harvey and finance presenter Ruben Villa told the Huachuca City Council on March 12 that the town’s general fund is showing a year‑to‑date surplus and that most departments are within budget. Finance presenter Ruben Villa said the figures are unaudited but described the results as positive: "$231,000 through January 30, which is a positive number in general."

Villa said the report covers seven months (about 59%) of the fiscal year and that, other than the landfill fund, no fund currently raises immediate concern; landfill expenditures are expected to be reimbursed through a GADA grant amortized over 10–15 years. He told the Council staff will continue to monitor line items and adjust allocations during the budget process.

After the report, Council considered whether to begin the statutory "truth in taxation" public‑notice process that applies when a taxing entity may levy a primary property tax higher than the prior year. Harvey presented example outcomes for different choices: she described a neutral‑rate scenario that would generate about $17,765 a year (rate ≈ 1.3619), a midpoint yielding roughly $128,000, and a maximum scenario of about $139,000; staff used a $100,000 home to illustrate potential household impacts of roughly $12–$24 per year depending on the option. Harvey emphasized the staff request was for direction only and that any final decision on rates will come later in the budget process.

Council voted unanimously to direct staff to prepare the required truth‑in‑taxation public notices and hearings; no tax rate was adopted at the meeting. The Council did not take final budget action; the public‑notice process begins the statutorily required outreach and hearings that would precede any rate decision.