The following budget book is a joint work product of the offices of the Board of Canyon County Commissioners and the Clerk. More than 60 public workshops were held over the course of several months with dates and times posted on the Commissioners’ agenda. The ensuing budget represents the culmination of information discussed during these workshops and includes input from Elected Offices, Department Administrators and non-county affiliates. We are hopeful citizens recognize the cooperation, collaboration and united, strategic approach to stabilize the County budget.

The FY2025 budget supports a diverse range of initiatives, outlines capital projects, prioritizes expenses, and provides funding for critical new positions. Emphasis was placed on cybersecurity, elections integrity, enhanced public safety, as well as support for recreational and entertainment opportunities, which benefit all age groups and contribute to the overall desirability of our community. Each of the 55+ budgets reflect our careful consideration of the County’s financial stability. Our goal was to exhaust all non-property tax revenue sources first and then levy property taxes to cover operational expenses, retain tenured and recruit quality employees to fill vacant positions.

Funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), receipted in 2021, have been dedicated for a variety of capital projects including a new Elections building that is currently under construction with a scheduled completion date of January 2025. Once completed, the Elections building will have increased square footage and sufficient parking to effectively serve the growing Canyon County population. Other ARPA projects include a new Sheriff’s administration building and the purchase of new ambulance units which will arrive in 2025.

Please note: all ARPA funds must be committed to specific projects by December 2024 and completed by December 2026. When evaluating the highest and best use of ARPA funds, the Board focused on projects that would provide the greatest benefit to our community while improving the quality of life for Canyon County residents.

Thank you for entrusting us with the responsibility and privilege of serving you. We will continue to serve our community’s needs while upholding our adopted values of Transparency, Respect, Unify, Service, and Teamwork (TRUST).

Canyon County Fiscal Year 2025 Board of County Commissioners Budget Book

Grace began her journey with the County as a part-time contractor and has since become a full-time fixture for the Court Clerk’s Office more than seven years. She brings with her a unique academic background that combines medical and legal studies, supplemented by ongoing continuing education. Despite her modesty, her expertise is truly remarkable.

Canyon County has become a melting pot of cultures and languages under her watch. Originally, the majority of requests were for Mexican dialects, but now, she handles a broader spectrum, including South American, Russian, Ukrainian, and various African dialects. This year alone she has seen about 33 different dialects and languages that have needed some form of interpretation services. Grace highlights the importance of cultural fluency, emphasizing that misinterpretations can significantly impact trust, especially in a legal setting or court proceedings.

A large part of Grace’s role involves managing a roster of interpreters, including contracted ones to save taxpayer dollars. She’s seen the number of interpreted events grow from 3,441 in FY21 to 4,923 in FY23, reflecting the county’s increasing diversity.

The COVID-19 pandemic posed unique challenges but also led to the discovery of Zoom’s Simultaneous Interpretation Function (SIF). This feature has been a game-changer, allowing interpreters to provide real-time language services, which saves time and reduces the burden on interpreters.

Grace’s passion for her work goes beyond just interpretation and translation. She’s all about bridging cultural and linguistic gaps to ensure everyone fully understands the U.S. legal process. Her dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed. As Jess Urresti, Director of Court Operations, puts it, “When she goes on vacation, it takes two of us to do about 10% of what Grace does daily.”

“Grace stands out as an exceptional employee who exemplifies the essence of civil service. Her unwavering commitment to her colleagues, the public, and the Language Access program is unparalleled. Canyon County is truly fortunate to have her,” Jess added.

Grace’s legacy is one of dedication, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to public service. She continues to embody the Board of County Commissioners’ values of Transparency, Respect, Unify, Service and Teamwork. As she looks ahead, she remains dedicated to her mantra: Building TRUST through interpretations/translations and being a positive influence in our community.

Grace Almeida is our Language Access Coordinator and County Interpreter. For the past 7 years (23 years total) she has worked in our Court Clerk’s office bridging cultures and languages in our courts and community!