Garfield County enacts temporary hiring freeze amid $9 million property‑tax shortfall; commissioners approve a bundle of permits, donations and intergovernmenta

The Garfield County Board of County Commissioners voted to adopt a temporary hiring freeze for county administrative employees as it copes with an estimated $9 million shortfall in property‑tax revenue. The action, approved by the board, applies to administrative positions that report directly to the Board of County Commissioners and exempts elected officials.

Commissioners said the hiring freeze is intended to avoid filling positions now that might have to be cut later and to protect existing employees from layoffs. “We are serious about this $9,000,000 shortfall,” Chairman Jankowski said during the discussion. He and other commissioners described the measure as a budget‑management step that will be revisited once departments submit budgets and county staff have an updated revenue view in August.

The board’s decision follows a presentation from county staff about an evolving revenue outlook, with departments asked to deliver initial budget proposals by Aug. 8 so commissioners can reassess and identify where to shave expenditures. County staff told commissioners they expect health‑insurance and benefits costs to rise in 2026 and estimated a need to use both operating and capital/grant balances to help close the gap.

Votes at a glance - Temporary hiring freeze (administrative staff; elected officials exempted): approved (unanimous). The resolution instructs staff to return to the board after the Aug. 8 budget submissions with updated figures and directs the chair to sign the…