Garfield County budget staff on Monday presented the proposed 2026 budget to the Board of County Commissioners, laying out a $136 million plan that, as presented, would draw down county reserves by about $10.5 million.

Budget officer Fred (budget officer) told the commissioners that the county faces three main pressures in 2026: a steep decline in property tax revenue tied to lower oil-and-gas production and recent changes in state law; increases in health-insurance costs that staff negotiated down from an initial 13.5% quote to a 2.56% net increase; and continued inflation and rising costs for capital projects and services. “The budget is more than the county’s financial plan. It's your authority to act,