The Cochise County Board of Supervisors voted to approve an interim county budget of $277,936,938, 11.2% above last year’s budget.
Budget Director Juan Frisby said the increase in the 2024 budget was due to an increase in special revenue funds, including subsidies given to counties.
Cochise County Administrator Richard Karwatuka also said property valuations increased by about $51.3 million, bringing the total net valuation to $1.074 billion.
“The previous rate was 2.6747,” Karwatka said. “Although tax rates have remained flat, valuations have risen, which has led to higher levies, giving us room to prepare for salary increases and some accommodation to the demands of elected officials.”
He added that the increased valuations have given the county more flexibility in approaching salary increases.
“In this year’s budget, we’ve talked about an increase of more than about $2 million, which is a salary increase,” Karwatka said. “Now we can safely move forward.”
Karvatska said a hearing on the taxation of truth should be set because of the increase in levies.The Board has set a hearing for July 11th at 10:00 a.m.
Of the total projected budget of $277 million, $15461,808 will go to the General Fund and $172,475,130 to other funds. This includes $136,795,383 in Special Revenue Funds, $16,377,174 in Capital Project Funds, and $19,302,573 in Corporate Funds.
Looking at General Fund Expenditure, the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office accounts for 25%. Over the past several years, the Sheriff’s Office has accounted for 24% of General Fund spending.
Courts and criminal defense account for 24% of budget spending, 18% for health and human services, and 12% for oversight boards, county assessors, treasurers, registrars, elections, and schools. Other expenses accounted for 21% of expenses.
According to the county, by the end of fiscal 2022-2023, General Fund expenditures are projected to be $68,701,841 and revenues to be $77,672,255.
The Cochise County Board of Supervisors received a total of 20 funding requests totaling $389,000 for one-off costs and $757,000 for recurring costs.
