Park County Director of Budget and Finance April Chabot told the Park County Board of County Commissioners on Oct. 1 that the county oes not yet have a complete 2026 draft budget and asked the board to postpone the full presentation to its Oct. 8 meeting. "It is not ready yet. So I am asking that you, postpone this agenda item until October 8, and you will have a complete draft budget at that time," Chabot said.

Chabot gave commissioners a set of preliminary figures to illustrate the challenges staff are still resolving. She said the county was currently projecting roughly $17.7 million in general fund revenue against about $19.2 million in expenses for 2026 and that the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) amount for next year had not been included because it was not yet known. "This year's PILT was 2,291,784," she said when asked for the current-year figure.

The preliminary summary Chabot presented included department-level snapshots: public works revenue of about $7.5 million against $9.6 million in expenses (a roughly $2 million shortfall that would draw on reserves), human services revenue near $8.5 million and expenses near $8.7 million (about a $221,000 gap), and fleet revenue and expenses at roughly $1.3 million and $1.5 million, respectively. Chabot also said, "As of this year, as of ninetwenty 8, the budget is currently 3,744,554 in the black." She cautioned that some departments and revenue lines still were not finalized.

Commissioners and staff discussed the seasonality of county spending and reserves. Chabot said the fourth quarter historically is a lighter expense period, and she did not expect the preliminary $3.7 million cushion to evaporate entirely, but she warned the board that public works and some other funds would require additional work to bring expenses in line with revenue. Commissioners raised concerns about reserve levels and the unknowns at the state and federal level that could affect county revenues.

The board voted to continue the 2026 draft budget presentation to its Oct. 8 regular meeting. The motion to postpone carried 3-0.

Why it matters: the county's preliminary numbers show department-level shortfalls and a pending PILT figure that could materially change the general fund outlook for 2026. Commissioners directed staff to return with a complete draft at the Oct. 8 meeting so the board can consider possible adjustments before budget adoption.