Budget season back for local governments
What projects would you like to see prioritized, readers?
Budget season is upon us once again, readers, as officials with the city of Yuma and Yuma County begin discussing projects for the upcoming fiscal year.
At the Yuma City Council, the recommended budget includes several major projects: the expansion of the Desert Dunes Reclamation Facility paid with bond sale proceeds of $86 million, a $10.6 million federal grant in support of a new multimodal transportation center and the new Yuma Fire Department Station No. 7, located at Avenue 8½E and Desert Springs Drive.
It also includes the first phase of the East Mesa Park construction, improvements to the Kennedy Regional Park and Skate Park and East Wetlands Park and citywide playground replacements.
Other capital projects include the first phase of the city’s intelligent transportation system, technology upgrades to City Hall Room
190 and matching grant funds to the Yuma Multiversity Campus and Yuma Spaceport development.
At the Yuma County Board of Supervisors, the proposed general fund budget contains several continuing capital projects, including the new
197 Downtown County Building, Health Department Building, a new facility for the ITS/Public Fiduciary and Facilities Management, a virtual storage system for the courts, 102 S. Main St. Building for Recorder and Elections, Adult Probation HVAC equipment and controls replacement, exterior upgrades to the County Administration Building at 198 S. Main St. and the future Foothills Multipurpose Complex.
New general fund capital projects include website design and development, equipment upgrades for the new Division 7 and other courtrooms and relocation of the Public Defender Office and University of Arizona Cooperative Extension.
Special revenue funds contain the following continuing projects: road construction on North Frontage Road, etc.; Flood Control construction at Smucker Park, etc.; a Health District metal storage building; a Library District book sorter for the Foothills branch and Main Library HVAC replacements; Jail District security camera and smoke control system upgrades; and a new Tacna water supply and treatment system.
New projects include the Broadband Middle Mile Fiber Network covered by American Rescue Plan
Act pandemic relief funds and fairgrounds relocation covered by Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affair funds.
At both the City of Yuma and Yuma County, there are some hefty projects on the table.
At the city level, the spaceport development work is certainly worth pursuing, as the idea has tremendous potential to bring industry to Yuma – and with it, high-paying jobs.
Over at the county, the broadband project is one that’s especially needed, as it also opens the doors to future growth.
But we’re curious, readers. What do you think of these projects for the city and the county? Are there other projects you’d like to see on the list, or projects that should be removed? Let us know. Share your thoughts in a Letter to the Editor at letters@ yumasun.com.
Unsigned editorials represent the viewpoint of this newspaper rather than an individual. Columns and letters to the editor represent the viewpoints of the persons writing them and do not necessarily represent the views of the Yuma Sun.