County Discusses Department Budgets

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The June 17 Grant County Commission meeting was a long one. The commissioners met with each department regarding their Fiscal Year 2026 budgets, and each department head met with commissioners to hash out what 2026 will entail.

The commissioners will conduct  a public hearing in the next few weeks to allow the public to peruse the budget and the commission to make any final changes before budget approval.

A surprise for one department was an unexpected raise for employees at Historic Adobe Museum, who will receive a small increase in pay that county employees received last year, but the museum did not factor into its budget.

“On your salaries, did you give them a raise last year?” Commissioner John Martin asked. “On the county side of it we gave a 3 percent across the board for a cost-of-living raise.”

Museum Director Ginger Anthony said they haven’t done raises for two years.

“Would you consider that?” Anthony asked. “We would love to be able to do that.”

Martin said adding 3 percent for salaries would increase the budget by $2,458.

“I think that’s necessary,” said commissioner Darrin Figgins.

Anthony said the museum staff is dependable, honest and hard-working and she shared the news with the board the following day.

The museum budget did increase from $15,098.62 in 2025 to $15,961.00 for 2026.

“The only change from last year is in the insurance,” Anthony said, noting the change reflected an increase in liability insurance. The county covers the building insurance.

“We’re not gonna ask for more than anything we need,” Anthony added. “At some point, we’re gonna have to, but right now, we can live with this.”

In other business:

•Extension agent Monica Walker told commissioners she needed to adjust her previous budget request regarding the amount of money they have in reserve. Walker said she wasn’t sure how much money they had in reserve and was told they needed 60 percent or so in reserve.

Walker had included a proposed new vehicle in the budget, but has since removed it. Taking out the new vehicle amount gives them $142,000 in reserves.

Walker said she would hold off on a vehicle decision until she finds out if she receives a grant for which she applied for a vehicle. Once she finds out how much she would need to apply toward the vehicle, then she’ll know how much Extension will have in reserve.

•The commission heard all department budget requests and will conduct a public hearing in July.