Secure Rural Schools funding restored for Kane County

After nearly two years of uncertainty and sharply reduced funding, federal support under the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program has been restored for Kane County and other rural Utah communities.

In December 2025, Con­gress passed the Secure Rural Schools Reauthori­zation Act of 2025, which the president signed into law, reinstating full SRS payments for fiscal year 2026 and directing retro­active payments for 2024 and 2025. The bipartisan legislation restores a key funding stream that coun­ties with large amounts of untaxable federal land rely on to support schools, roads, emergency services and other core local functions.

The previous authoriza­tion for the Secure Rural Schools program expired at the end of fiscal year 2023. Since then, counties like Kane County received only smaller statutory “25 percent revenue-sharing” payments tied to timber re­ceipts rather than full SRS funding. Local officials esti­mate that it resulted in fund­ing reductions approaching 90 percent, placing added pressure on county budgets and planning.

Secure Rural Schools was created in 2000 to offset the loss of property tax revenue in counties dominated by federal land, which cannot be taxed. For Kane County, where federal land makes up a significant portion of the tax base, SRS payments have historically helped stabilize funding for local services and infrastructure.

Commissioner Celeste Meyeres, who serves as Kane County commission’s liaison to the Recreation and Transportation Dis­trict, said SRS funding has played a direct role in mak­ing community projects possible across the county.

“Many valuable projects have been made possible through the support of the board appointees,” Meyeres said. She cited improvements including clean, seasonal restrooms in Duck Creek Village, road safety improvements in Church Wells, a UDOT turn-off project in Big Water, lights at the baseball fields near Jacob Hamblin Park and equipment purchases for the new Recreation Center in Kanab.

Meyeres said the restora­tion of funding also supports broader county goals heading into 2026, including expanding representation on advisory boards. “One goal of mine that is being realized for 2026 is adding folks to the board from all over the county,” she said. “There will be representa­tion from Big Water in east county, clear through and on up to Orderville.”

Under the new law, the U.S. Forest Service is re­quired to issue retroactive payments for fiscal years 2024 and 2025 and to resume full payments for fiscal year 2026. County officials say the restored funding will provide stabil­ity as Kane County finalizes future budgets and plans additional infrastructure and recreation projects.