by 
Gila County District III Supervisor John D. Marcanti
(GLOBE, AZ)— At a special meeting on July 28, the Gila County Board of Supervisors adopted a FY 2015/2016 Budget that holds the tax rate level for the sixth consecutive year. Faced with ongoing impacts from the state budget and the uncertainty of historical federal revenues, the Supervisors are relieved to have been able to keep the tax rate at $4.19 and adopt a budget that is nearly $2.5M less than the preceding fiscal year, while absorbing mounting state mandated costs and cost shifts to the County. The Gila County budget reflects a primary property tax levy that is $8.8M below the maximum tax levy.
Chairman of the Board/District II Supervisor, Michael A. Pastor, believes that “the budget is conservative and reflects necessities, not wants, but also funds a strong criminal justice system, addresses the County’s long-term infrastructure requirements and provides quality services to constituents.”
Over 58 percent of the County’s General Fund Budget is dedicated to criminal justice, which includes, the Sheriff and Constables; Superior and Justice Courts; County attorney; and, Adult and Juvenile Probation. Gila County is committed to supporting these critical services. This year will see new partnership between Gila County and the City of Globe as the Sheriff’s Office will begin providing emergency dispatch for the municipal police, fire, and medical services.
The County moves into the new fiscal year with just over 28 fewer budgeted employees. The Supervisors credited elected officials and department heads for their ongoing cooperation and willingness to practice prudent management and spending.
The adopted budget includes provisions for the County’s continuing commitment to increased security for the benefit of the public and its employees. Ongoing projects will eliminate leased facilities and relocate scattered programs into more productive and efficient groupings. This budget also provides initial funding to reserve for technology infrastructure and further move to the virtual computing environment.
Vice-Chairman/District I Supervisor Tommie Cline Martin, while pleased overall with the County’s solid financial condition, in spite of state imposed cost shifts and unfunded mandates, is gratified to see infrastructure being addressed county-wide. “Northern Gila County constituents have for many years dealt with a crowded and awkward County complex. If plans for the Payson area come to fruition, they indicate a fairly quick need for a better design for increased services. Recent acquisition of an adjacent retail space will begin to provide much needed space to house County services and ease congestion. While this is only a beginning, it is a beginning.” Supervisor Martin is also pleased that the budget addresses the Board’s commitment to Community Agencies, Economic Development, Community Colleges, and Natural Resources.
Board Member and District III Supervisor John D. Marcanti said that the budget was developed to be sustainable and structurally balanced. He pointed out,” the assessed property values have declined steadily since FY 11/12, but that for the coming fiscal year an increase primarily in centrally valued properties has resulted in an increase that nears the values of FY 13/14.” He expressed his hope that this will become a trend in the coming years in the recovery of overall local, state and national economies.
The budget process this year included two public forums held between the adoption of the tentative and final budgets for the residents to learn more about the budget, ask questions, and provide comments.
There are news or informational items frequently written by staff or submitted to the Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner, Superior Sun, Pinal Nugget or Oracle Towne Crier for inclusion in our print or digital products. These items are not credited with an author.
by by