Grant County commissioners approve preliminary FY2027 budget with 2% COLA placeholder amid heated pay debate

Grant County commissioners voted May 14 to approve a preliminary FY2027 budget that includes a 2% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) placeholder for employees and a $30,000 allocation for a program listed in the meeting packet. The vote was taken after an extended debate over language, pay levels and staffing priorities.

The board’s action amended resolution R-26-9 to replace the word “final” with “preliminary” and add placeholders for budget items commissioners said should be revisited before adoption. Commissioner Medina made the motion; Commissioner Flores seconded, and the motion was reported as carried by voice vote. The transcript records the outcome as “I motion carries” and does not include a roll-call tally.

Why it matters: commissioners said the county’s preliminary figures needed to reflect likely personnel costs so final numbers do not deviate sharply from what is submitted to state authorities. Managers stressed the preliminary budget must be close to final for state review and that commissioners retain the ability to adjust figures before final adoption.

Key points and debate

- 2% COLA placeholder: County staff recommended and commissioners approved including a 2% COLA in the preliminary budget as a planning assumption. Manager Webb told the board this is an allowance that can be adjusted during the prelim-to-final process when actual year-end cash is known.

- $30,000 program allocation: Commissioners approved a $30,000 allocation for an item listed in the packet (the transcript references a $30,000 support item by name as read in the record). Staff confirmed the dollar amount was to be included in the prelim and further details would be clarified before the final budget.

- Elected-official salaries: The lengthiest portion of the meeting focused on whether and how to adjust elected-official pay. Several commissioners urged raising baseline pay for elected officials, with multiple speakers saying a $90,000 floor should be considered; others urged caution and further study. Manager Webb and staff said a salary study (included as a recommendation in the packet) was provided to give context and that final salary decisions will require a later resolution no later than state deadlines.

Process and next steps

Commissioners emphasized that the approved document is preliminary. Staff will continue work on the elected-official compensation item and on any adjustments to COLA or other line items, then return to the board for final action. The county manager reminded commissioners the final adoption process allows targeted changes before the budget is filed with state authorities.

What the record shows

The transcript contains extended commissioner remarks and multiple references to the salary study and to service-pay concerns for detention and public-safety staff. The meeting record notes motions carried by voice vote but does not include roll-call vote tallies for the preliminary budget resolution.