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Lincoln County presents preliminary FY2026–27 budget; public hearing held, final vote set for May 19
Summary
County Manager Jason Burns presented a preliminary FY2026–27 budget balanced within approximately -0.23%, with statutory reserves of $13,446,811.57 and an estimated beginning cash balance of about $11 million. Commissioners requested additional trend and legal-cost analysis before final consideration on May 19; DFA submission deadline is June 1, 2026.
County Manager Jason Burns opened a public hearing May 12 to present Lincoln County’s preliminary fiscal year 2026–27 budget, which staff described as balanced within approximately -0.23% and produced through collaboration with department staff, Finance Director Billie-Jo Guevara, and Treasurer Sherrie Huddleston.
Treasurer Sherrie Huddleston told commissioners the county’s statutory reserve requirement—three-twelfths of general fund expenditures—was $13,446,811.57. She said the general fund budgeted expenditures were slightly higher than last year’s $11,947,135 and that the estimated beginning cash balance was about $11 million, roughly nine percent lower than the prior estimate; staff described the lower cash estimate as a conservative assumption.
Finance Director Billie-Jo Guevara detailed required transfers from the General Fund totaling $8,097,122.20, with $2,379,621.53 budgeted as repayment to the General Fund for a net transfer of $5,717,500.67. Guevara cited transfers such as $4,372,728 to the Detention Center Operations Fund and $1,000,045 to supplement the Road Department Fund 402.
Manager Burns reminded the Commission that the May 12 hearing was not for final approval and that final budget consideration would occur at the regular meeting on May 19, 2026. He also noted the county must submit its budget to the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration by June 1, 2026. Commissioners requested additional multi-year trend information and salary/benefits impact analysis ahead of the final adoption vote.
