Proposed 2027 budget maintains core services while addressing financial pressures
Mesa County’s proposed budget focuses on maintaining core public services and continuing planned investments in roads, facilities and technology while reducing budgeted contracts and staffing levels and using reserves to address the difference between ongoing revenue and expenses.
The proposed budget was presented to the Board of County Commissioners during its Oct. 6 public hearing. County leaders spent months evaluating programs, reducing lower-priority spending and making organizational changes to improve long-term financial stability.
The proposed plan reduces the countywide budgeted staffing level by 61 positions, or about 5%, from 1,249 to 1,188 employees. The change is not 61 layoffs. The total includes vacant and previously frozen positions, organizational changes and reductions to filled positions related to lost grant funding or budget reductions.
“Our residents depend on us to make responsible decisions now so we can continue providing essential services in the years ahead,” said County Administrator Todd Hollenbeck. “This proposal takes a disciplined approach to staffing and spending while continuing important investments in roads, facilities and workforce. Reserves give us time to make thoughtful changes, but they cannot permanently cover an ongoing gap.”
Across all funds, the proposed budget includes:
- $252 million in revenue
- $283.9 in expenditures
- A planned $31.9 million use of existing fund balances
These gross figures include transfers and charges between departments for internal services and a $5.4 million Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR) refund from 2025 revenues, which will be refunded via property tax credits in 2027. Residents identified returning TABOR refunds as a priority in the recent community survey.
A large portion of the planned use of fund balance is tied to capital projects, including $19 million carried forward from projects approved in 2026 that were not yet under contract. Capital projects may also use revenue collected in prior years, dedicated funding and grants.
The general fund supports 22 departments and accounts for about 35% of the county budget. It includes:
- $94.9 million in revenue
- $100.7 million in expenditures
- A planned $5.7 million use of the fund balance
General fund expenditures are about $200,000 lower than the 2026 adopted budget, while revenue is projected to increase by $3.2 million. However, recurring expenses continue to exceed recurring revenue. Rising costs for contracts, software, equipment, maintenance and employee health insurance remain major budget pressures. State and federal funding also remains uncertain.
The proposed budget may change as insurance costs, property values, grants and capital project estimates become final. Department budget appeals and updated economic information may also affect the final recommendation.
The Board of County Commissioners is scheduled to consider the final 2027 budget for adoption on Nov. 17.
Residents can review the proposed budget on the county’s Finance webpage.
Residents may submit public comments to mcadmin@mesacounty.us or share them during the unscheduled business portion of a regular commissioners’ public hearing. Hearings begin at 9 a.m. Tuesdays at 544 Rood Ave. in Grand Junction.
