Legislature’s Fund Sweeps Increase Burden On County

By Tammy Gray-Searles
   Fund sweeps made by the state legislature during a recent special session will affect Navajo County, but did not include vehicle license tax funds.
   Government Relations Administrator Rod Ross told the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday that he is still working to determine the financial impact the sweeps will have on the county. He also pointed out that the vehicle license tax funds, which could cost the county $2.2 million, are still being considered by the state as a potential source of additional revenues.
   Sweeps recently approved by the legislature that are likely to impact the county include funds taken from the Alternative Dispute Resolution Fund, the Criminal Justice Enhancement Fund, the DUI Abatement Fund, the Drug and Gang Enforcement Fund, and the Victim Compensation and Assistance Fund.
   According to information prevented by Ross, the total dollars taken from each fund, which will affect counties across the state, are as follows:
   * Alternative Dispute Resolution Fund, $600,000.
   * Criminal Justice Enhancement Fund, $1 million.
   * DUI Abatement Fund, $112,500.
   * Drug and Gang Enforcement Fund, $430,000.
   * Victim Compensation and Assistance Fund, $678,400.
   Ross noted that he and other county officials, are continuing to meet with state elected officials and oppose any additional cuts. He told the board, however, that given the financial condition of the state, it is very likely that the county will continue to be impacted by cuts.
   “The state’s budget situation continues to deteriorate rapidly,” Ross said.
   He noted that many state departments took a 7.5 percent cut as a result of the most recent special session. Ross explained that the Arizona Department of Transportation’s (ADOT) commitment to the county to continue to plow certain roads during snow storms may not be viable since the legislature dipped into funds set aside by ADOT for snowplowing.
   Navajo County Attorney Brad Carlyon told the county that some of the cuts will affect the judicial system, and he is also working to determine the exact amounts for Navajo County. He pointed out that cuts to the victim’s compensation fund mean that the county may not have money available to assist victims who have suffered financial losses due to crime.
   “We just won’t have the money to make things right for the victims,” he said.
   Carlyon also pointed out that funding used to operate the county’s drug court had already been cut, and that with additional funding reductions drug court operations are likely to be reduced starting in January.
   Supervisor Jesse Thompson noted that counties are coming together to try to reduce the impact to operating funds.
   “It’s hard to keep a positive attitude in times like this, but we’ll get through it,” Supervisor J.R. DeSpain said.