Jeff Davis County has adopted its final budget for fiscal year 2026, setting authorized spending levels for county departments and funds through Sept. 30, 2026.
The budget reflects approved appropriations rather than actual spending. All departments currently show zero fiscal activity, meaning no expenditures have yet been recorded and the figures represent planned authority to spend, not cash balances or realized revenue.
Within the general fund, the budget lists approximately $3.36 million in authorized expenditures. Report totals show revenues exceeding expenditures at the time of adoption; however, those figures reflect budget structure and accounting entries rather than cash on hand or realized surplus.
Public safety represents a significant portion of the budget. The sheriff’s office is allocated $639,783.84, covering salaries, insurance, retirement, jail operations, fuel, training, uniforms, vehicle costs and capital outlay. Emergency Medical Services is budgeted at $517,039.83, including paramedic salaries, medical director services, medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, vehicle maintenance, insurance, training and capital equipment.
County utilities account for $356,000 in authorized spending. Major line items include electricity at $40,000, water and sewer at $15,000, Big Bend Telephone at $60,000, Verizon at $15,000, and more than $120,000 combined for software, technology and related services.
Courthouse-related spending totals $348,519.65. That includes $75,000 for courthouse restoration, $75,000 for capital courthouse expenses, and additional costs for maintenance, janitorial supplies, insurance and fuel.
Library services are budgeted at $191,266.91, covering librarian and staff salaries, part-time help, materials, automation, building maintenance and $25,000 in capital outlay. The community center budget totals $135,837.70, funding staffing, supplies, maintenance and utilities.
The county park budget is set at $50,500. Non-departmental expenditures total $682,888.37 and include workers’ compensation insurance, legal fees, professional services, insurance bonds, contingencies, animal control, water district costs and septic tank inspections.
Hotel and motel tax funds show $368,102.58 in authorized spending, including allocations tied to county judge-related expenditures and tourism-related items. Sales tax funds include $255,039.83 in authorized spending, largely associated with emergency services and park operations.
Budgets for elected offices include $201,091.30 for the district attorney, $25,227 for the county attorney, $153,173.72 for the tax assessor-collector, $234,993.44 for the county treasurer, $219,183.30 for the county and district clerk offices, and $92,497.78 for constable operations. Justice of the peace courts are allocated $144,970.51 in authorized expenditures.
County officials emphasize that the adopted budget establishes spending authority for the fiscal year and does not represent final outcomes. Actual revenues, expenses and fund balances will depend on collections, operational needs and expenditures throughout the year.
The fiscal year 2026 budget serves as the county’s financial framework for maintaining operations, public safety and services across Jeff Davis County.
