It was coming down to the wire as the Nye County Commission worked to balance its fiscal year 2026-2027 general fund budget in time for the May 29 state deadline.
It took major cuts to services and supplies as well as salaries and wages, along with a reduction in risk management funding and a reduction to the jail fund, but after some intense financial finagling, the county managed to eliminate its multi-million-dollar shortfall.
As the final budget hearing opened on May 27, Nye County Comptroller Zena Teich said the county was projecting $57.7 million in revenues and $54.4 million in expenditures. Adding in a contingency amount and operating transfers, however, expenses shot up to over $64 million, leaving the county upside-down by approximately $7 million.
“We did a 32 (percent) reduction across the board for services and supplies. Each of the departments will see, not exactly 32 percent, but they will see a reduction from the prior (FY budget) to this one,” Teich said of the adjustments made to balance the general fund.
A $1.2 million decrease in salaries and wages was also incorporated into the budget.
Exactly what each county department will do to adjust operations to match the greatly reduced 2026-2027 budget remains to be seen, County Manager Brett Waggoner said.
“You give the number and let us figure out how we’re going to get there,” he said.
Contact reporter Robin Hebrock at rhebrock@pvtimes.com.
