Lincoln County staff warn FY 2026–27 budget submissions show multi‑fund deficits; workshops scheduled
March 30, 2026 | Lincoln County , Nevada
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Recorder/Auditor Amy Elmer urged the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners on March 30 to prioritize capital projects and expenditures during this year’s budget workshops, warning, “We must look at this as there isn’t enough money to go around.”
Dan McArthur, a county staff member who presented the annual budget‑preparation letter, said that, "with submissions as they are currently, it is projected the ending fund balance will be over negative $2 million." He told commissioners he would verify a $3.9 million property‑tax projection with the state, calling that figure “significantly high.”
Why it matters: the preliminary numbers show multiple service funds in deficit that could affect road maintenance, indigent services, senior nutrition and emergency medical services if not corrected. McArthur listed specific shortfalls and line items that staff will investigate during the upcoming workshops.
Details from staff review: McArthur said the Road Fund is projected to be negative $1,435,000; the County Indigent Fund negative $140,000; Senior Nutrition negative $221,000 (a grant‑based program, McArthur said staff will follow up with Amber about grant revenue); and the Ambulance Fund is more than $70,000 in the red. He also listed contract and line‑item figures, including an Air Force contract at $138,000, a Caliente contract at $108,000, Room Tax revenue estimated at $101,000, District Court technology at $5,060, and $19,000 budgeted for a Panaca town secretary. McArthur said a skid steer was removed from the Lincoln County Fire District budget and that the Hospital District Clinics fund — which staff believed should have been eliminated — will be addressed in follow up.
Governance note: Sharron Faehling told the board the Museum Board had dissolved over a year ago and that the Library Board is interested in taking over oversight of the museum; she cautioned that, if reappointed, the Library Board would require separate budgets and that workers' compensation and liability costs would need to be paid.
Next steps: McArthur announced budget workshops on April 6, April 27, May 6, May 12 and May 18 to refine numbers and identify priorities; the Board took no formal action on the budget at this meeting.
The meeting opened at 9:00 a.m., had a public‑comment period in which Amy Elmer spoke, and was adjourned at 12:53 p.m.
Dan McArthur, a county staff member who presented the annual budget‑preparation letter, said that, "with submissions as they are currently, it is projected the ending fund balance will be over negative $2 million." He told commissioners he would verify a $3.9 million property‑tax projection with the state, calling that figure “significantly high.”
Why it matters: the preliminary numbers show multiple service funds in deficit that could affect road maintenance, indigent services, senior nutrition and emergency medical services if not corrected. McArthur listed specific shortfalls and line items that staff will investigate during the upcoming workshops.
Details from staff review: McArthur said the Road Fund is projected to be negative $1,435,000; the County Indigent Fund negative $140,000; Senior Nutrition negative $221,000 (a grant‑based program, McArthur said staff will follow up with Amber about grant revenue); and the Ambulance Fund is more than $70,000 in the red. He also listed contract and line‑item figures, including an Air Force contract at $138,000, a Caliente contract at $108,000, Room Tax revenue estimated at $101,000, District Court technology at $5,060, and $19,000 budgeted for a Panaca town secretary. McArthur said a skid steer was removed from the Lincoln County Fire District budget and that the Hospital District Clinics fund — which staff believed should have been eliminated — will be addressed in follow up.
Governance note: Sharron Faehling told the board the Museum Board had dissolved over a year ago and that the Library Board is interested in taking over oversight of the museum; she cautioned that, if reappointed, the Library Board would require separate budgets and that workers' compensation and liability costs would need to be paid.
Next steps: McArthur announced budget workshops on April 6, April 27, May 6, May 12 and May 18 to refine numbers and identify priorities; the Board took no formal action on the budget at this meeting.
The meeting opened at 9:00 a.m., had a public‑comment period in which Amy Elmer spoke, and was adjourned at 12:53 p.m.
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