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2026-06-18 MINUTES 3 <br /> <br />the shortfall, citing the project's capital nature and available REET fund balance, while <br />preserving unrestricted ARPA interest earnings for future County needs. Time was identified as <br />the limiting resource for this project. Because the completion deadline was fixed by Rodeo <br />Weekend, extending the schedule was not a viable option. As a result, additional funding is <br />required to ensure timely completion of the project. Commissioners recommend using REET <br />funds. <br />Sheriff Administrative Building Back Up Generator (Discussion) <br />Charlie Smith reviewed a proposal from Hultz BHU Engineers to develop plans and bid <br />documents for replacement of the Sheriff’s Office backup generator system at a cost of $32,990. <br />An assessment found the existing generators and propane tank are at the end of their useful life <br />and do not provide backup power to several critical systems. The proposed project would <br />improve emergency power capabilities and reliability, with total project costs estimated at <br />approximately $200,000, including engineering and construction. Commissioners recommend <br />moving forward but also asking the Sheriff’s office to find more funding. <br />Sales Tax Update (Discussion) <br />Zack DeHaven reviewed year-to-date sales tax and REET revenue trends, noting early 2026 <br />collections show softness compared to 2025. Local retail sales tax is down approximately 6.2% <br />and REET is down about 9.6% year-over-year, while some distributed sales tax categories show <br />modest growth of 1.9%–2.9%, indicating mixed economic activity across jurisdictions. He noted <br />that unincorporated sales tax weakness may be tied to reduced construction and permit activity, <br />and emphasized that collections are still early in the fiscal year due to reporting lag. Preliminary <br />projections suggest year-end sales tax revenue may fall below the 2026 budget and prior-year <br />actuals, with revenues also not keeping pace with inflation, creating ongoing budgetary pressure. <br />CDS Budget Outlook (Discussion/Decision) <br />Chad Bala (Community Development Services) and Zack DeHaven reviewed a proposed <br />voluntary separation program as one component of the department's strategy to address ongoing <br />structural budget deficits. Community Development Services is currently operating with an <br />estimated annual funding gap of approximately $720,000–$960,000, with reserves declining by <br />an estimated $60,000–$80,000 per month. <br />Staff recommended offering a voluntary separation incentive, including two months of <br />severance, to employees in positions identified as part of the department's long-term <br />organizational restructuring. Should eligible employees choose not to participate, the positions <br />affected are planned to be eliminated through the 2027 organizational transition. This approach is <br />intended to provide impacted employees with an opportunity to make a voluntary decision while <br />reducing the need for involuntary layoffs and supporting a more orderly transition.