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Board reviews preliminary budget; transport, pool and high‑school projects flagged
Summary
Finance staff presented a preliminary 2025–26 budget showing a $172.7 million general fund projection, a sharp drop in assessed value and a lower recapture estimate; capital projects highlighted included the aquatic center finishing, transportation bus procurement and continued design work on the new Campbell County High School.
Finance staff presented the district’s preliminary 2025–26 budget and an overview of major capital projects and maintenance work.
Highlights from the preliminary budget presentation - General fund: The administration recommended a preliminary general‑fund budget of $172.7 million, an increase of about 10.1% from the prior year’s adopted figure. The presentation included placeholders for the compensation package approved by trustees. - Assessed value and recapture: The presentation noted a projected drop in assessed value from about $5.3 billion to $4.8 billion and an estimated recapture (the portion of local tax revenue returned to the state) of roughly $29.1 million — a decrease of about $24.1 million (approximately 45%) from the prior year’s recapture budget. - All funds: The administration estimated all‑funds preliminary spending of about $311.4 million, a modest increase from the prior year.
Capital projects and facilities updates discussed - Aquatic center: Construction at the district’s new aquatics facility is substantially complete; the district reported that the pool shell is finished and staff expect to begin water testing and balancing in the coming week. - Transportation: The district is pursuing a bus replacement project. Administration reported a design/procurement package sized for 40 buses with an estimated funding gap mentioned (administration said the current estimate is about $2 million short for a $17 million package) and said the district is pursuing final approvals and funding. - Campbell County High School (CCHS) and other maintenance projects: The district reported ongoing design work for the new high school, field and turf planning for other campuses and several maintenance projects (Cottonwood roof, heating/ventilation work and parking lot repairs). Administration also noted that some component projects will proceed in phases and that the major maintenance fund picture is affected by previous large projects.
Why it matters: The preliminary budget frames the district’s expected revenues and proposed spending, including how the previously approved compensation package will be funded. The drop in assessed value and the resulting lower recapture obligation to the state materially affects local cash flow planning.
Next steps - Administration will finalize the preliminary budget documents and return to the board with more detailed line items; auditors’ work and state recalibration processes will be monitored for final budget adoption. - Trustees asked for continued updates on capital project schedules and funding as design work advances and as bids or state approvals are received.
Ending Finance staff said the preliminary budget remains subject to change before final adoption; trustees thanked finance and administrative staff for preparing the documents and asked administration to return with updated figures after the next steps in state and county revenue reconciliation.
