Council is interested in placing a levy lid lift on the April Special Election and is expected to adopt a resolution during its next meeting on February 10.
Press Release: San Juan County Council continues to discuss seeking a levy lid lift to support the County’s ability to maintain existing services funded by property taxes. During the upcoming February 10 meeting, Council will be considering a resolution to place a levy lid lift ballot initiative on the April special election that would reset the County’s property tax rate to $0.85, which was the same rate last approved by voters in 2019.
Council has recently discussed the need for a levy lid lift during the Council retreat on Jan 13, as well as subsequent meetings on Jan 20, Feb 2, and Feb 3, in addition to meetings through the fall and winter of 2025. Final discussions are expected to occur during their February 10 meeting. The public is invited to attend in-person or online and provide comment during public access time: County Council Regular Session Meeting • CivicClerk.
“During the 2026 budget process, our focus was on balancing the budget by making targeted cuts. We made cuts across nearly all departments of the County and were still left with a budget that relied on spending cash-on-hand to maintain critical and essential services,” said Council Chair Justin Paulsen. “For 2027 and beyond, in order to maintain many of the services the County provides, it is clear that in addition to continued efficiencies, we need to look at additional revenue streams.”
Budget Background
In 2025, the County worked to reduce the originally projected $6.6M deficit in the 2026–27 status quo biennial budget. The deficit could have been even larger – up to $10M- if all new spending requests had been approved.
Through a series of strategic cuts to operating expenses, eliminating staff positions, and instituting a hiring freeze, among other cost-saving measures, the County worked to reduce the deficit. At that point, Council determined that focusing on a one-year budget for 2026 would allow the organization to maintain some additional personnel and services while allowing more time to address changes for 2027 and beyond.
Balancing the 2027 Budget
Additional cuts or revenue adjustments are needed to maintain a balanced budget in 2027 and into the future. Currently, increasing expenses and rising inflation outweigh revenues in the County’s Current Expense Fund. At the current spending rate, the County’s cash reserves will fall below the required minimum by 2027.
The Council continues to engage in conversations about how the organization can realign its finances and shape the impact these financial constraints have on staffing and levels of public service.
Next Steps
On February 10, the Council will discuss and potentially adopt a resolution to place a levy lid lift on the April special election ballot. The public is invited to attend in-person or online and provide comment during public access time: County Council Regular Session Meeting • CivicClerk.