The Coconino County Board of Supervisors adopted the County’s $276 million Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 budget during its public meeting on June 24.
The FY 22 budget includes approximately $28 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) specifically for Coconino County, and accounts for potential additional funding through the American Jobs Plan Act.
The budget, effective July 1, focuses on restoring the budget to pre-pandemic service levels, continuing COVID-19 response efforts, creating capacity to respond to emergencies like fires and floods, and allowing for flexibility in utilizing the American Rescue Plan Act funding.
“We have learned a great deal from the COVID-19 pandemic. Our fiscal policy to plan on a recession every ten years served us well. We will continue to be careful stewards of taxpayer dollars,” said Chairman Matt Ryan.
The FY 2022 budget increases the County’s budget capacity, however, it represents a general fund budget continuation from FY 21. The Board of Supervisors plans to continue budget discussions to allocate ARPA funding and other general fund dollars once final ARPA guidance is provided. The FY 22 budget also includes a pay increase for staff of 3% which serves to continue the County’s efforts to retain and recruit a quality and skilled workforce to serve our communities. Coconino County staff did not receive an increase in FY 21 due to the financial uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Coconino County staff have been vital in the County’s successful COVID-19 response and vaccination efforts.
The FY 22 budget includes necessary contingency funding to address what is expected to be a challenging fire and post-wildfire flooding seasons. The final tax rates will be set August 3, 2021.