On Nov. 10 the Iron County Commission approved the countytentative 2026 budget and set the required public hearing and final vote dates.

Luke, the county finance officer, said he filed the tentative budget on Oct. 30 as required by state statute and highlighted major items affecting next yearincluding an estimated $316,000 increase in insurance costs and the insurance-committee decision to use about $200,000 in prior self-insurance savings to offset part of the rise. He told commissioners overall revenue projections for 2026 look slightly higher than previously forecast and that no new requested hires were included in the tentative document.

"Overall, our revenue is looking higher than what we're projecting in some areas," Luke said, and recommended the tentative budget be approved so staff can prepare the public hearing materials required 10 days before a hearing. Commissioners moved and approved the tentative budget by voice vote; the public hearing and final adoption will occur at subsequent meetings in two weeks and in December, respectively.

Next steps: budget documents will be made available to the public 10 days before the Nov./Dec. hearing; staff will present a more detailed budget review and respond to commission priorities prior to final adoption.