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Grand County staff warn of roughly $18 million shortfall in 2026 preliminary budget
Summary
Finance staff told commissioners that Grand County faces an estimated $17.9 million deficit for 2026, driven largely by capital timing tied to COP-financed projects such as the new EMS station; leaders discussed use of fund balance and potential transfers to close gaps.
Grand County finance staff presented a preliminary 2026 budget showing total revenues of roughly $97 million and total expenses exceeding $115 million, producing a gap that staff attributed largely to capital timing and COP-financed projects. The board was told that about $16.3 million of the shortfall reflects COP-related capital spending that appears in the expense column for 2026 while much of the related revenue was received in 2025.
"Total revenues of over 97,000,000, total expenses of over 115,000,000," said the moderator as staff walked commissioners through Exhibit E. Finance staff explained that if the EMS Station 1 capital outlay is excluded from the calculation, the operating deficit shrinks to an approximate $430,000 gap, which could be addressed through line-item adjustments and the usual end-of-year transfers.
Commissioners asked for detail on timing and debt service split; staff said construction is on track but that the revenue/expense mismatch—COP proceeds landed in 2025 while capital expenditures fall in 2026—is the principal mechanical driver of the headline deficit. The board discussed contingency scenarios and the potential for limited transfers from the general fund or capital reserves to avoid abrupt service cuts.
The budget summary will return for additional review in follow-up sessions as managers refine department-level budgets and clarify which one-time capital costs require board support.
