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Grand County finance director warns of $17.5 million 2026 budget deficit tied to EMS construction and debt
Summary
Finance director Alina Bell told commissioners the county faces a projected 2026 budget deficit of about $17.5 million, driven mainly by EMS station construction costs and COP debt service; commissioners discussed reimbursements and additional grant-seeking to narrow the shortfall.
Alina Bell, Grand County finance director, told the Board of County Commissioners that the county's preliminary 2026 budget shows a large shortfall driven by capital and debt-service obligations. "Last month we approved a preliminary determination of our 2026 budget, and we had a deficit of $17,467,198," Bell said, noting construction and COP payments as primary contributors.
Bell outlined changes since the preliminary determination, including increased transit support, adjustments to CCAT dues, grant awards routed through the sheriff's office, and an increase in the capitalization threshold to $10,000 that shifts some items from capital to operations. She said the county attributes roughly $17.157 million to EMS station construction and $1.8 million to COP debt service, producing a projected 2026 deficit of about $17,491,709.
Commissioners pressed for clarity about timing and reserves. Bell said some expected reimbursements from the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) and other state grants should materialize and be reflected in next year's revenue estimates; she told commissioners the county expects roughly $800,000 in DOLA funds next year and continues to pursue additional grants. "We were actually hoping that DOLA process would be faster and we would get reimbursed quicker," Bell said.
The board asked staff to return with a clearer fund-balance projection and a breakdown showing how the building costs are being met (DOLA, other grants, EMS reserves and fund transfers). Commissioners indicated they would review potential adjustments, supplemental requests, and continued grant pursuit before final adoption at the next meeting.
